The news that is still buzzing around Major League Baseball is Mike Trout’s 12-year, $432 million mega-deal that keeps Trout an Angel for life. Fans seem to have various opinions on the issue.
Negative or neutral opinions by non-Angels fans include comments like “no baseball player is worth that kind of money,” others say that “Bryce Harper is kicking himself for not asking for a bigger offer,” and some are expressing that the Angels are handcuffing themselves from signing other players in the future. On the other hand, almost every Angel fan is thrilled that Trout will hang a Halo around his head for his entire career and many have said that if anyone is worth that kind of money, Mike Trout certainly is. Now Angels fans want the ball club to build a winner around him.
So what are people around Major League Baseball saying about the Trout deal? Is it a ridiculous deal since it’s the most expensive contract in North American sports history? Do most players and executives think that Trout is worth it? Well, let’s delve into the reactions around the league:
Let’s start with one of Trout’s friends, who just signed a massive contract before him: Bryce Harper. Here’s a little background story first. Harper was hoping he could recruit Mike Trout over the Phillies, which was made clear on Twitter. This upset the Halos enough to prompt the Angels organization to contact MLB and warn him that he was tampering. This caused him to delete his tweet and keep mum on the issue after that. So what does he have to say now?
“I’m very excited for him,” Harper said Wednesday morning at Spectrum Field. “He made the best decision for him and his family. The Angels made a great decision, making him the face of their franchise for an extended period of time.
“I didn’t know the contract was coming. If you’re a team and can lock up a franchise guy like that, of course, you want to be able to do that. When I talked to him this offseason it was like, man, I want to get as much as I can so that you can blow me out of the water pretty much. And he did. I’m excited for him.”
Here are some reactions around the sports world on Twitter…
ESPN Sportscenter: “Mike Trout’s extension is something special compared to the biggest contracts across the NBA, NFL, and NHL.”
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman tweeted: “TROUT! My dawg! Congrats my bro. Nobody’s more deserving! Let’s go! @MikeTrout.”
Houston Texas Defensive End JJ Watt: “Hey @HoustonTexans, Mike Trout and I kinda look alike… so how do you feel about 12 years, $430 million fully guaranteed for me too?”
When Fox Sports Radio’s Colin Cowherd tweeted saying, “Nothing against Mike Trout, but if he was at a mall in Los Angeles no one would know,” Houston Astros pitcher tweeted “I would recognize @MikeTrout anywhere. Congrats on your deal my man!!!”
Los Angeles Lakers Coach Luke Walton: “I called home, I said, “Babe, go buy a baseball bat. Throw all the basketballs away. We are now a baseball family.” (For his four year old son)
The Anaheim Ducks: “Happy to have this guy in the neighborhood for 12 more years! Congrats to @MikeTrout and the @Angels.”
Former Angel pitcher Jered Weaver: “Congrats to my guy @MikeTrout! Well deserved.. Angel fans get to watch the best player in baseball for another 12 years.. still think he should have gotten a billion though.”
Former Angel pitcher Jim Abbott: “A nice week for @MLB. Two dedicated and unique icons celebrated and rewarded for doing things the right way. Congrats and thanks to @MikeTrout and the one and only Ichiro.”
In a TV interview, several Angels had positive things to say as well…
Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs: “It’s awesome. I couldn’t be any happier for him. He deserves everything he got, and I saw it a long time ago. I knew it was coming.”
Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons: “Exciting news. I’m really happy for him. I’m happy for the Angels, the organization, for the fans. And for myself too. Hopefully, I can play with him for a long time.”
Angels second baseman David Fletcher: “Um yeah I’m pretty fortunate to play with guys like him and all the other players we have. I’m lucky.”
Angels first baseman and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols: “I’m so happy for him. You know it could be a distraction, even though you say you don’t always want to think about it…To be able to get this deal done. And Arte and Carole, their commitment to this organization, and to the team…He’s the best player in the game, and it’s well deserved, and he’s more than just the best player in the game. He’s a great human being, a great kid to be around. He comes from great parents.”
Angels owner Arte Moreno made a statement after the deal was done…
Angels owner Arte Moreno: “This is an exciting day for Angels fans and for every player that has worn an Angels uniform. Mike Trout, an athlete, whose accomplishments have placed him among the greatest baseball players in the history of the game, has agreed to wear an Angels uniform for his entire career.”
What did the man in the spotlight have to say after signing this huge extension and committing his life to the Angels?
“This is where I wanted to be all along. I have enjoyed my time as an Angel and look forward to representing the organization, my teammates, and our fans for years to come. I want to thank Arte and Carole for their efforts. Their leadership and commitment to winning played a key role in my decision. Thanks also to my teammates, coaches, John Carpino, Billy Eppler, and his Baseball Operations staff, the entire front office, and Angels fans for all their support. It has made a tremendous difference not only for me, but for my family as well!”
Did the Angels make the right decision or was this deal too expensive and/or too long?
To quote Stephen A. from ESPN, “You don’t let a guy like Mike Trout go. You just don’t.” The Angels couldn’t let the best player in all of Major League Baseball walk away without making a concerted effort to keep him in an Angels uniform for life. There are five reasons why this was an excellent deal for the Halos:
- The Angels only have one Hall of Fame player in Cooperstown (Vladimir Guerrero), and this almost guarantees that there will be at least one more heading there. Halo fans should be pleased about that.
- From a marketing standpoint, this keeps the Angels relevant. The media will always be talking about Mike Trout, and that will help the Angels.
- Because Mike Trout will be an Angel for a long time, free agency gets a little easier for the Angels. Arte Moreno can always pull this line, “You have a chance to play with the best player in baseball. What d’ya say?”
- Mike Trout is not only a great baseball player, but he’s an even better human being. He keeps the chemistry in the dugout strong. Also, because he’s competitive, players around him will compete for just as much as he does.
- The value of the Angels has just gone up. Maybe Anaheim will make a deal with the team to keep the team in Anaheim.
Featured Image: Mike Trout/ AP Photo
