Mike Trout's extension with the Angels was a compromise, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal writes. Trout wanted a contract that was either shorter (four years, which would not have delayed his free agency eligibility) or much longer (up to 13 years). The Angels wanted the deal to be between those two numbers, but wanted to sign Trout for longer than the six years they eventually got. Trout's deal still allows him to become a free agent at age 28. Here are more notes from around the West divisions.
- Scott Kazmir says he strongly considered signing with the Astros last offseason before ultimately signing with the Athletics, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. Kazmir attended Cypress Falls High School in Houston. "Yeah, it was serious," Kazmir says. "This is a great group of guys that are going to come up together and be a solid organization, a solid team in the big leagues. Definitely had interest." Days after Kazmir picked Oakland instead, the Astros signed Scott Feldman to a three-year deal.
- The Padres were bidders for Cuban middle infielders Erisbel Arruebarrena and Aledmys Diaz, Jeff Sanders of the Union-Tribune writes. Now the Padres are close to a deal with another Cuban player, pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne. The Padres' money from their TV deal has allowed them now only to get involved on players like Arruebarrena and Diaz, but to sign, for example, Josh Johnson and Joaquin Benoit. The Padres also recently signed infielder Jedd Gyorko to a long-term deal.
A 13 year contract?
Now the numbers on that WOULD have been fun.
Anyone care to start the hypothetical bidding?…
400M?
Considering he’s arguably the best all around player? SCARY. What’s he going to command at 28? That is……if the Angels even allow that time to approach?
Here’s a thought: by the time Trout is 28, teams will have had 6 more years to have seen the effects of high-dollar/long-term contracts that span the wrong side of 30. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another shorter-term (e.g. 6-year) deal for Trout after this one, albeit a contract still in the $45-50MM AAV range — assuming his production continues at the current level.
Edit: Misread, my bad. Ignore me.
how is that a compromise, it seems like exactly what the Angels would want. Trout’s part of the compromise should be that he actually signs a contract
I’m sure the Angels wanted 8-10. I might have gone with the 13 year deal honestly. He’d be 35 at the end of the deal.