Phillies slugger angles for Trout

Lobbies to have two-time MVP join in 2021

CL E A RWAT ER , FL A . • Now pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Harper.

The new Phillies slugger has again lobbied for superstar Mike Trout to join the franchise in 2021, a possible violation of Major League Baseball’s tampering rule.

Trout, a two-time AL MVP with the Los Angeles Angels, grew up near Philadelphia, attended the Phillies victory parade in 2008 as a 17-yearold and has season tickets for the Eagles. The 27-yearold outfielder is set to become a free agent after the 2020 season.

“If you don’t think I’m gonna call Mike Trout to come to Philly in 2020, you’re crazy,” Harper told Sportsradio 94WIP in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The Phillies gave Harper a 13-year contract last week, the largest deal in baseball history at $330 million US. Harper told team owner

IF YOU DON’T THINK I’M GONNA CALL ... YOU’RE CRAZY.

John Middleton he’s willing to help the team recruit free agents and sell them on playing for a winner in Philadelphia.

Fishing for Trout, sort of. “For me, I can be able to talk to Trout, or whoever it is, big-name free agent or whoever wants to come to Philly or is thinking about coming to Philly, I can say ‘Hey, this is the place to be,’ ” Harper said.

Harper made his first pitch for Trout on Saturday at his introductory news conference in Clearwater.

“I’m making $26 (million) a year. That’s going to be able to bring some other guys in as well to build up this organization,” the 26-year-old outfielder said.

“There’s another guy in about two years that comes off the books.”

MLB Rule 3(k) states there “shall be no negotiations or dealings respecting employment, either present or prospective, between any player, coach or manager” and a person from any other organization.

“We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with both clubs,” MLB said Wednesday.

Mike Trout