As the Los Angeles Angels wrap up yet another substandard season, the focus in Southern California will soon turn to star outfielder Mike Trout’s future with the team.
Having signed a six-year, $144.5 million extension with Los Angeles back in 2014, Trout has two years remaining on his deal. The 27-year-old former MVP is also MLB’s highest-paid position player this season at $33.5 million.
Despite this, Los Angeles is already looking to make the generational talent a lifelong member of the team.
“The Angels are expected to try again to make Mike Trout a lifetime Angel when they discuss a contract this winter,” Jon Heyman of Fancred sports reported Thursday.
Heyman also sources an unnamed agent in indicating that Trout would be better off waiting until pending free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper set a new market this coming winter. Whether that happens is anyone’s guess.
What would a lifetime contract look like? When taking into account an expanding market, Trout’s age and his already Hall of Fame career, $40 million annually isn’t out of the question. That could lead to a minimum of a 10-year, $400 million deal, setting a new high-water mark in North American professional sports.
Trout himself is having another tremendous season for an otherwise pedestrian Angels squad. He entered Thursday’s action hitting .313 with 33 homers and 68 RBI while boasting an AL-best .464 on-base percentage and a 1.078 OPS.