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Report: Athletics approached Semien about contract extension

Kelley L Cox / USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Athletics have long had a history of trading away their young stars before they get expensive. But with the club embarking on a full-scale rebuild, Billy Beane and Co. might be looking to alter that policy.

Oakland reportedly approached shortstop Marcus Semien about a contract extension thought to be in the area of five years, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Semien confirmed to Slusser that the sides talked about a deal during spring training, but nothing since then.

"I don't see why not," the 26-year-old told Slusser about potentially signing a long-term deal with the A's. "I want to make sure it's worth doing, of course. Every player wants to make sure they're doing what's right for them and their family. But ever since I broke my wrist, nothing's happening and I'm hitting below .200, so I don't know."

Semien, a native of the Bay Area, was acquired by Oakland from the White Sox for Jeff Samardzija in the 2014 offseason. He owns a .241/.305/.409 slash line with 43 home runs over his three seasons with the Athletics.

This year has been a struggle, however, as Semien's appeared in just 21 games due to a broken wrist suffered in mid-April; he only returned to action on July 6.

Semien will enter his first year of arbitration eligibility in 2018, and won't reach free agency until 2021.

Oakland also reportedly approached outfielder Khris Davis about an extension, per Slusser, though it's not clear if those talks ever got off the ground.

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