Trout, Angels discussing $150 million extension

[Guest]

The Angels and superstar Mike Trout are discussing a six-year, $150 million contract extension, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Given some of the contracts we've seen handed out to free agents in recent years and the fact that Trout is only 22 and is arguably the best all-around player in baseball, this might seem a relatively modest deal to some. But we have to consider the structure of MLB salaries regarding service time.

Trout isn't even eligible for arbitration until next season and he can't hit free agency until after the 2017 season. Thus, he won't even make $1 million this coming season -- sans an extension. The highest ever first-year arbitration salary was Ryan Howard's $10 million in 2008, too, so Trout getting around $25 million per season for this year and next would be a massive uptick over what he's expected to make without an extension.

Not only that, but a six-year deal would mean Trout would still be set for free agency at age 28. Basically, if this is what's being discussed, it's hard to find any negatives from Trout's perspective.

Trout hit .323/.432/.557 (179 OPS+) with 39 doubles, nine triples, 27 homers, 97 RBI, 109 runs and 33 stolen bases last season. He finished second in AL MVP voting for the second consecutive season to Miguel Cabrera.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-...150m-extension

[SuperKevin]

Wow. Thats a lot of money

[Goober]

Gabe Kapler is going off on twitter claiming Trout will make a billion in his career.

[Slateman]

Wow. Thats a lot of money

For the best player in the game? No, not really.

They basically buy up two of his free agency years at 25 million per. Is there anyone who wouldn't pull the trigger on this deal? If anything, the Angels should be trying to lock him up longer.

By then, Wilson, Weaver, and Hamilton will be off the books. They can sign Trout to a bigger deal than the Yankees give Hawpah.

[Glenbino]

HA! If he agrees to this, it's huge. Our FO has made some less than hairbrained decisions this offseason. Maybe Arte has finally decided to back off a bit.

[SuperKevin]

For the best player in the game? No, not really.

They basically buy up two of his free agency years at 25 million per. Is there anyone who wouldn't pull the trigger on this deal? If anything, the Angels should be trying to lock him up longer.

By then, Wilson, Weaver, and Hamilton will be off the books. They can sign Trout to a bigger deal than the Yankees give Hawpah.

I wasn't saying it was too much. Just saying that that is a lot of money

[Slateman]

Sure it is. Then again I think the MLB minimum is a lot of money. But thats thr beginning of Trout's economic windfall.

[dave]

Wow. Thats a lot of money

For a player like that, it's probably a bargain. In two years, Trout could be looking at crazy $50 million a year money. Baseball is just that insane.

[SuperKevin]

For a player like that, it's probably a bargain. In two years, Trout could be looking at crazy $50 million a year money. Baseball is just that insane.

Probably not seeing how he's going to be locked up for 6 years in this deal.

[spursup]

The Angels need to do whatever it takes to lock him up. If that means giving him a shit ton of cash before he's arbitration eligible, then that's what needs to happen. Trout was one of the few(if any) bright spots on the Angels last year and is clearly their franchise player and the future of the team.

[dave]

Probably not seeing how he's going to be locked up for 6 years in this deal.

Uh ... that was my point. They had to do this deal now to avoid a crazy number later.

[spursup]

Uh ... that was my point. They had to do this deal now to avoid a crazy number later.

He would probably get the same money now or then. Teams aren't really willing to go above $25 million per because they wouldn't have room to pay anyone else. Trout may be a special case but nobody is giving more than he is worth now, because he has pretty much maxed out his value.

[SuperKevin]

Uh ... that was my point. They had to do this deal now to avoid a crazy number later.

No way the arbitrator would have awarded 50 million per year

[dave]

No way the arbitrator would have awarded 50 million per year

Maybe not, but this kid is such a special player ... a holdout and/or threat of leaving when eligible would probably be enough. Like I wrote, $25M a year for this guy right now is not overpaying whatsoever (in baseball terms) and it's absolutely vital for the Angels to establish a good relationship with him as quickly as possible. Clearly his salary the past two years does not reflect his output.

[spursup]

Maybe not, but this kid is such a special player ... a holdout and/or threat of leaving when eligible would probably be enough. Like I wrote, $25M a year for this guy right now is not overpaying whatsoever (in baseball terms) and it's absolutely vital for the Angels to establish a good relationship with him as quickly as possible. Clearly his salary the past two years does not reflect his output.

25M isn't necessarily, but you're suggesting he's worth $50M, which even for a player as special as Trout, is not true.