Can a rookie scale contract be extended through an extend and trade transaction?

A rookie scale contract can indeed be extended through an extend-and-trade transaction, but with specific stipulations that have implications for both the player and the team involved.

When a player on a rookie scale contract is traded, the new team can extend the player's contract as part of the transaction. However, there is no additional benefit provided to the player in this situation; the terms of the extension would typically follow the standard rules of the rookie scale, without any incentives or bonuses that might be available in other circumstances.

This contrasts with other scenarios, where players might negotiate more favorable terms independently or benefit from different contract structures; thus, it is crucial to recognize the limitations in the benefits available in an extend-and-trade situation. The structure of the rookie scale is designed to maintain a level of parity and restrict excessive spending on young players, which is why extensions through trades don't include additional benefits.