Report: A's want long-term deal for Chapman; Boras not interested

The Oakland Athletics are interested in signing one of baseball's hottest hitters to a multi-year extension, but his agent doesn't appear to want anything to do with the offer.

Oakland has approached Matt Chapman's agent, Scott Boras, about starting long-term contract talks regarding the third baseman, but Boras told the team there is no interest, reports the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser, citing a source.

The slugging infielder is off to an incredible start for the A's, hitting .333/.403/.650 with five home runs and 12 driven in through 16 games.

Chapman is only 24, but Boras may be shying away from a deal to allow his client a better chance of hitting free agency during his prime. He's scheduled to become a free agent for the first time in 2024 and his earliest arbitration-eligible year is 2021.

Since arriving in the big leagues, Chapman has demonstrated pop at the plate, hitting 19 homers in 393 plate appearances, and is widely regarded as an excellent defender at the hot corner.