Trout, Angels close to $432M deal
Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized and had not been announced.
Trout’s total would top the new $330 million, 12-year contract between Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies, and Trout’s $36 million average annual value would surpass pitcher Zack Greinke’s $34.4 million in a six-year deal with Arizona that started in 2016. The contract also would best Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez’s $356 million deal with sports-streaming service DAZN.
Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017.
Indians sign Carlos Gonzalez: Free agent Carlos Gonzalez has signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, who just might have an outfield spot for the three-time All-Star.
Gonzalez could help the Indians settle their outfield situation, which became muddled following the club’s decision not to re-sign All-Star Michael Brantley and other moves.
Tigers RHP Michael Fulmer may need Tommy John surgery: Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer may need Tommy John surgery.
The Tigers said Tuesday on Twitter that surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow has been recommended following an MRI exam and a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.
Yankees reliever Betances to start season on injured list: Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has inflammation in his right shoulder and will start the regular season on the injured list.
Angels name Trevor Cahill opening day starter: The last time Trevor Cahill made an opening day start, he was pitching for the Oakland Athletics. Now Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus has named Cahill as the opening day starter for the March 28 game in Oakland against the A’s.
MLB lifts restrictions on Arizona Fall League players: Major League Baseball is lifting restrictions on which players can be sent to the Arizona Fall League for prospects and moving up the season by nearly a month.
The commissioner’s office said Tuesday that a team can send any player to the AFL. Previously, a player had to be at Double-A or Triple-A by Aug. 1, with one player from a lower level allowed per organization. In addition, players with one year of major league service as of Aug. 31 were excluded, with the exception of one player per organization who had been selected in the most recent winter meeting draft of unprotected players. There also was a limit on foreign players.
This year’s season will run from mid-September through Oct. 27. Last year’s started Oct. 9 and ended Nov. 17.
Former Angels and Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi will oversee the fall league, which launched in 1992 and will play this year in Peoria, Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale.