TROUT A KEEPER
12-year, $432 million extension for Angels outfielder.
Outfielder Mike Trout and the Angels reportedly are close to finalizing a 12-year, $432 million contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history.
Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with the Mariners, Rangers and Yankees from 1994-2017.
Trout’s latest deal would top the new 12year, $330 million contract Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, and Trout’s $36 million average annual value would surpass pitcher Zack Greinke’s $34.4 million in a six-year deal with the Diamondbacks that started in 2016. The contract also would best Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez’s $356 million deal with sports-streaming service DAZN.
Whether Trout’s contract is the largest in the world for a team athlete is difficult to determine. Forbes estimated Lionel Messi earned $84 million from Barcelona in 2017-18 and Cristiano Ronaldo $61 million from Real Madrid, but precise details of their contracts are not known.
Trout’s deal would include a signing bonus and supersede the $144.5 million, six-year contract that had been set to pay him $33.25 million in each of the next two seasons.
While the marketplace has been slow for many players this offseason, prompting complaints from the players’ association, top stars have gained robust deals. Four of the largest seven contracts will have been agreed to since Feb. 19, with Trout and Harper joined by Manny Machado ($300 million for 10 years with the Padres) and Nolan Arenado ($260 million for eight years with the Rockies).
The Angels selected Trout with the 25th overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft, and he signed for a bonus of $1,215,000. He made his major league debut on July 8, 2011.
$100M for Bregman
The Astros reportedly signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a six-year, $100 million extension. The deal runs through his first two years of free-agent eligibility. Bregman had a .286/.394/.532 slash line with 31 homers and 103 RBI last season. The Astros also reportedly gave pitcher Ryan Pressly a twoyear, $17.5 million extension.
This and that
Tommy John surgery has been recommended for Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer, who will seek a third opinion.
♦ Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the season on the injured list.
♦ The Rangers have named left-hander Mike Minor as their Opening Day starter against the Cubs.
♦ The Angels have named Trevor Cahill as their Opening Day starter.