Height
6'3"
Weight
210 lbs
Age
25
College
N/A
Draft
2018, Rd 6, #173
Experience
3 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 327 | 0.24092117 | 48 | 134 | 0.7292709 | 40 | 272 |
Current Contract
Length
7 years
Total Value
$65.5M
Guaranteed
$39.3M
AAV
$9.4M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Athletics' seven-year, $9.4M AAV extension for Lawrence Butler earns a C- CVI, reflecting a deal that feels like an overpay for a serviceable starter who hasn't proven he can sustain above-average production. While Butler showed flashes of power and athleticism in his limited MLB action, committing nearly $66 million to a right fielder with question marks around his hit tool and plate discipline seems premature, especially for an organization traditionally focused on value extraction. The Athletics are betting heavily on development and projection here, which could pay off given Butler's tools, but the annual salary approaches what you'd typically reserve for a proven above-average regular rather than a player still establishing himself. Oakland's rebuild timeline theoretically aligns with Butler's prime years, but this contract eats up significant payroll flexibility that could have been better allocated to multiple pieces or saved for higher-impact acquisitions. The deal isn't catastrophic given the lack of financial commitments elsewhere on the roster, but it represents the kind of middling resource allocation that keeps rebuilding teams stuck in mediocrity rather than making the calculated risks that lead to genuine contention.
Performance Analysis
Lawrence Butler grades as an All-Star caliber performer among MLB right fielders, earning a B+ Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.242 batting average and a 0.732 OPS (near the league average of .720) this season. With 47 home runs and 130 RBI through 319 games (a 24-HR, 66-RBI pace over a full season), he brings moderate power to the lineup. His 40 stolen bases add an elite speed dimension that creates additional offensive value. As a young developing player at 25, Lawrence is a key contributor for the Athletics. A 319-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
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