Mike Trout’s $426.5 million contract with Angels will be largest in sports history.
LOS ANGELES — The Angels and star center fielder Mike Trout on Tuesday morning were finalizing a 10-year, $360 million extension that would keep him under contract over the next 12 years for $426.5 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations but unauthorized to comment publicly.
The deal, which has no opt-outs, would be the largest in professional sports history. It would net the two-time American League MVP more money than even Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper, who earlier in March signed a 13-year, $330 million contract — a deal that was then the most lucrative in baseball history. And it would keep Trout, who is still searching for his first playoff victory in Anaheim, in an Angels uniform through 2030.
“When I learned of the deal, my first thought was it's a great thing for Mike and for baseball,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He is a once-in-ageneration-type player who does things the right way and he's great for our game. It just shows baseball is in a very good place right now.”
Trout, 27, is owed $33.25 million each of the next two seasons. His annual salary will rise to $36 million for the 10 years that follow, unless the Angels and Trout decide to shift a small part of the new $360 million extension to the final two years of his current contract.
Trout, who is still searching for his first playoff victory in Anaheim, has been the subject of speculation for months now. A native of Millville, N.J., he was tied to the Phillies even before Harper signed there.
Though Trout recently built a house in Millville and is an avid fan of Philadelphia's football (Eagles) and basketball (76ers) teams, he has grown to enjoy living in Southern California, probably more so than most people realize.
Trout, who signed a six-year, $144.5 million contract in 2015, likes his teammates and feels a deep sense of loyalty to Angels owner Arte Moreno, who has treated Trout and his family well over the years.
“When you look at the East Coast and you see the players that they have, the stars there, to keep Mike on the West Coast as the East Coast guy that he is, is great,” Roberts said. “For him now to play his entire career as an Angel, I think that obviously means something to him and the Angels, so I'm happy for him. He's all that's good about
the game.”
The Angels have reached the playoffs only once since Trout, a first-round pick in 2009, was called up to the big leagues in the summer of 2011, getting swept by the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 American League division series after winning 98 games and the American League West title.
As the Angels flopped, Trout continued to produce.
Since his debut, his .307 batting average is tied for fourth-highest, his .416 on-base percentage ranks second, and his .573 slugging percentage is the best in baseball.
For comparison: Albert Pujols, whom the Angels signed to a 10-year contract before the 2012 season, has slugged .453 in 400 fewer plate appearances as an Angel.