SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) — Former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has been hired as coach of the Costa Rica men's national team.
The 56-year-old Herrera, who led Mexico to the 2014 World Cup, was appointed late Tuesday by the Costa Rican soccer federation.
The veteran Mexican coach will fill the vacancy after Gustavo Alfaro resigned in August to coach Paraguay.
Costa Rica has advanced to the third round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers alongside 11 other countries trying to secure three direct spots for the 2026 World Cup. The United States, Canada and Mexico are already qualified as host nations.
The next round of qualifying matches begins next September.
Herrera has coached six-first division teams in Mexico including America, where he won Apertura titles in 2013 and 2018.
Under Herrera, Mexico won a playoff against New Zealand in 2013 to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, where the Mexicans were eliminated in the round of 16. He also helped Mexico win the 2015 Gold Cup and was fired soon after for allegedly fighting a TV journalist in a Philadelphia airport.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Mexico's head coach Miguel Herrera celebrates after Mexico's Andres Guardado scored his side's second goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - Mexico's head coach Miguel Herrera celebrates after Giovani dos Santos scored the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, June 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Brent Rooker and the Athletics finalized a $60 million, five-year contract Wednesday for the designated hitter and outfielder, a deal that could be worth up to $92 million over six seasons if he regularly finishes high in MVP voting.
Rooker gets a $10 million signing bonus and salaries of $2 million this year, $6 million in 2026, $12 million in 2027, $13 million in 2028 and $17 million in 2029.
The team has a $22 million option for 2030 that would become guaranteed if he has 900 or more plate appearances in 2028 and '29 combined or 500 or more plate appearances in 2029 or at least two top 10 finishes in MVP voting from 2027-29.
Each top 10 finish from 2025-29 would increase the 2030 option price by $1 million and each top five finish would raise the price by $2 million.
His deal includes additional award bonuses.
Rooker was set to swap proposed arbitration salaries with the A’s on Thursday. He also would have been eligible for arbitration after the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and could have become a free agent following the 2027 World Series.
The new deal keeps Rooker signed through 2029, when the team is planning to be in Las Vegas. The A’s left Oakland after last season and are set to play the next three seasons in a minor league park in West Sacramento, California. The club says its new stadium in Las Vegas is expected to be ready in 2028.
The 30-year-old Rooker has been one of the best players for the A’s since joining the team in 2023. He batted .293 with 39 homers, 112 RBIs and a .927 OPS last season, winning a Silver Slugger award at designated hitter and finishing 10th in AL MVP voting. He hit 30 homers with an .817 OPS in his first season with the A’s, making the AL All-Star squad.
The agreement with Rooker is the latest big move for the A’s this offseason. The team previously signed pitcher Luis Severino to a $67 million, three-year contract — the largest deal in franchise history. The right-hander can opt out and become a free agent again after the 2026 season.
Severino’s arrival was followed by the acquisitions of third baseman Gio Urshela and left-hander Jeffrey Springs.
For the first time since the current collective bargaining agreement began in 2022, the A’s are to receive 100% of the amount due under the revenue sharing formula. If a team’s luxury tax payroll is not at least 150% of what it receives in revenue sharing, the burden of proof in a grievance alleging violation of revenue sharing rules would shift to the club from the players’ association.
Outfielder Miguel Andujar is the only remaining A’s player scheduled to swap proposed arbitration salaries with the team.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
FILE - Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker rounds the bases after hitting a home run during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Aug. 30, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
