SI Trout Porn

[Biergott]

Enjoyed reading this article about the greatness of Trout and how culturally he isn't a giant but should be:  http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/08/30/mike-trout-angels-stats

Though I'm not sure he isn't an icon, I still liked the article.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Good article, and its a great point. Lets be honest, even we uber nerds of AW.com take him for granted. Not that we dont recognize how good of a player he is, but how good he is against the history of the game.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Rhetorical question, but if moreno is hording money in order to guarantee mike stays forever, is it worth going cheap these next few years?

[Angelsjunky]

It isn't a rhetorical question, ocho. Actually, it is THE question: do the Angels go all-in over the next few years (the "Trout Window") or do they tighten the belt and build a stronger franchise for the long-term, thereby potentially extending the Trout Window through the end of his career?

The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, in that the ideal is to make small-to-moderate moves over the next year or two that increases the chances of the team competing sooner than later, yet without bankrupting the future (like they did in 2011-13 with the Big Belly Flops). But I would say that if you have to lean one way or the other--which you probably do--then I'll take the latter option. Trout seems happy playing in Anaheim and while he may secretly want to play for the Yankees or Phillies, if that is the case then there isn't much the Angels can do about it. But I think the Angels can slightly increase those chances if in a few years they're on the rise, rather than tapping out ever-diminishing resources.

I think it was a huge mistake not to give Trout the super-long contract that he wanted. But I also hope that Eppler renegotiates an extension sometime in the next few years, before Trout goes to free agency in 2020.

[Ray McKigney]

That article got me slightly aroused.

[Blarg]

See a doctor if it lasts more than 4 hours.

[tdawg87]

8 minutes ago, Blarg said:

See a doctor if it lasts more than 4 hours.

Going on 9 hours now. Called my doc. He told me to stop calling.

[stormngt]

4 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

It isn't a rhetorical question, ocho. Actually, it is THE question: do the Angels go all-in over the next few years (the "Trout Window") or do they tighten the belt and build a stronger franchise for the long-term, thereby potentially extending the Trout Window through the end of his career?

The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, in that the ideal is to make small-to-moderate moves over the next year or two that increases the chances of the team competing sooner than later, yet without bankrupting the future (like they did in 2011-13 with the Big Belly Flops). But I would say that if you have to lean one way or the other--which you probably do--then I'll take the latter option. Trout seems happy playing in Anaheim and while he may secretly want to play for the Yankees or Phillies, if that is the case then there isn't much the Angels can do about it. But I think the Angels can slightly increase those chances if in a few years they're on the rise, rather than tapping out ever-diminishing resources.

I think it was a huge mistake not to give Trout the super-long contract that he wanted. But I also hope that Eppler renegotiates an extension sometime in the next few years, before Trout goes to free agency in 2020.

Need to offer an extension sooner than later.  The sooner the offer the more likely Trout signs it.  Wait too long and Trout has greater incentive to test free agency.

Offer the extension after next year.

[tdawg87]

10 minutes ago, stormngt said:

Need to offer an extension sooner than later.  The sooner the offer the more likely Trout signs it.  Wait too long and Trout has greater incentive to test free agency.

Offer the extension after next year.

Something tells me he won't be signing anything until Harper does.

[Angelsjunky]

Yeah, that's probably true. But Harper's stock has gone down a bit this year. He seems to have figured things out, and still has two more seasons before he hits free agency - unless the Nationals can somehow lock him before hand. If he can recapture his Babe Ruth form of last year, or at least a more likely .300/.430/.600 with 40 HR, then he will be hitting free agency as a 26-year old and very well might get that 10/$400k contract some have predicted.

So let's say Harper gets 10/$400M for his age 26-35 years (or even 12/$500M, but let's not go there yet). At that point Trout will have just turned 27 and be entering his age 27 season with two years left at $34M a piece. Maybe the Angels say, we'll up those two years to $40M each and add eight at $40M per to pay you through your 37th birthday. Or maybe they say, 10/$450M for 2019-2028 (age 27-36). It will probably take $40-45M a year.

[ten ocho recon scout]

My two favorite trout observations thus far.

His first all star game. After the game hes being interviewed, and in the middle of it, tony larussa runs up to him and tells him pujols has told him all about trout....think about that. Larussa is himself a big name in baseball lore. Hes been around plenty of superstars over the decades. And here he is, going out of his way like a star struck fan, to say hello to a kid whos been up all of maybe 3 months (not counting his cup of coffee). And hes telling him pujols, a legend at that point, has bragged about him....thats pretty cool.

Same year i went on a road trip to see a few new stadiums. Night before game 1 im at a bar with a few of the guys from our org, and we end up at the same bar as the other guys. Get invited to one of the homes of the other guys. We go there, party, women, etc, and the other guys hit up the guys im with about trout. "Is he as good as everyone is saying". Our guys say hes better. The other guys are pretty big names, but their ignoring the party (at that point) to talk about this 20 year old kid whos been up just a few months.

Next day, i go to BP on the field. Usually when the visiting team hits, the home team goes in and gets their last few minutes to eat, make phone calls, whatever before the game starts. This time, trouts first in that stadium, i see almost every guy from the other team hanging out on the rails of the dugout, watching him take BP....ive honestly never seen that from any other BP ive gone to.

Enjoy him while hes here, hope it will be for a career....

 

[Angelsjunky]

Post of the week, maybe month, Ocho.

[ten ocho recon scout]

I can honestly say of all the conversations ive been around AJ, his peers (on this team and the opposition) view him the same we do. Everyone is a fan. And behind the scenes hes not a douche, and that goes a long way.

Between his skills and personality, the sky is absolutely the limit. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

Another thing ill add AJ is that though some of us out here talk east coast bias, going back to 12 i had a trout jersey i wore when i went to the east coast parks, and i would get stopped constantly. Opposing fans, employees, etc, were all stopping me and raving about him. Again, this being sometime in the summer of 12. Blew me away. Skank fans, sux fans, marlins, etc etc.

Man...between the trout explosion, trumbo that year, pujols, howie, aybar, iannetta replacinf mathis, etc, those were good times. I dont remember a single road series i went to thst we didnt take, and again, fans praising trout...almost cheering for him.

[stormngt]

2 hours ago, tdawg87 said:

Something tells me he won't be signing anything until Harper does.

That might be a wise strategy.  But guaranteed money is hard to pass up.  That is why I recommend negotiating as soon as possible.  Your right he may want to wait and see what Harper does.

When is Harper a Free agent?

[kevinb]

8 hours ago, Biergott said:

Enjoyed reading this article about the greatness of Trout and how culturally he isn't a giant but should be:  http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/08/30/mike-trout-angels-stats

Though I'm not sure he isn't an icon, I still liked the article.

He definitely isn't an icon. It's really not hard to figure out why he isn't. He doesn't say anything in the media. It's baseball. And it's not the Dodgers it's the Angels. 

[moccasin]

I hate to admit it, and it hurts, but part of the reason he isn't an icon is because him team sucks.

If the Angels had made the playoffs every year, he could have 5 straight MVPs.

Also, him not being the number one (or two or three) pick in the draft and stuff does' help either.

[Angelsjunky]

1 hour ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Another thing ill add AJ is that though some of us out here talk east coast bias, going back to 12 i had a trout jersey i wore when i went to the east coast parks, and i would get stopped constantly. Opposing fans, employees, etc, were all stopping me and raving about him. Again, this being sometime in the summer of 12. Blew me away. Skank fans, sux fans, marlins, etc etc.

Man...between the trout explosion, trumbo that year, pujols, howie, aybar, iannetta replacinf mathis, etc, those were good times. I dont remember a single road series i went to thst we didnt take, and again, fans praising trout...almost cheering for him.

Trout seems to be the ultimate example of "if you don't like Trout, you don't like baseball." Like Roger Federer and tennis, or Michael Jordan and basketball...people who in a sense transcend the sport. As that article says, almost every year there's someone as good or close to as good as Trout--whether it is Miggy in 2012-13, Donaldson or Harper in 2015, Bryant or Altuve this year. But in every year, Trout is right there--as good or better than everyone else, in all five of his seasons!

I've said this here before, but I remember being jealous of the Mariners in the early 90s, when they had not one but two phenoms come up within a few years of each other. I remember thinking, "I wish we had a Griffey or Rodriguez." And now we have him...and then some.

[Puget Sound Angel]

Baseball does not have the same cultural impact outside the stadium with the general public than it did 20-25 years ago. Seriously, what current player could walk down any city in America and be immediately recognized? Derek Jeter, but he is retired. I doubt the average person in Peoria, Ill would recognize Trouty.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

12 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

It isn't a rhetorical question, ocho. Actually, it is THE question: do the Angels go all-in over the next few years (the "Trout Window") or do they tighten the belt and build a stronger franchise for the long-term, thereby potentially extending the Trout Window through the end of his career?

The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, in that the ideal is to make small-to-moderate moves over the next year or two that increases the chances of the team competing sooner than later, yet without bankrupting the future (like they did in 2011-13 with the Big Belly Flops). But I would say that if you have to lean one way or the other--which you probably do--then I'll take the latter option. Trout seems happy playing in Anaheim and while he may secretly want to play for the Yankees or Phillies, if that is the case then there isn't much the Angels can do about it. But I think the Angels can slightly increase those chances if in a few years they're on the rise, rather than tapping out ever-diminishing resources.

I think it was a huge mistake not to give Trout the super-long contract that he wanted. But I also hope that Eppler renegotiates an extension sometime in the next few years, before Trout goes to free agency in 2020.

This team better get real competitive before Trout reaches Free Agency, or he may want to move on regardless of the money. I'm sure teams will break their banks to sign him. I'm quite sure he would take a small cut in pay to play for a team with a real shot at a Championship, than to stay here with the team looking like it does now.

[AngelArcher]

6 hours ago, moccasin said:

I hate to admit it, and it hurts, but part of the reason he isn't an icon is because him team sucks.

If the Angels had made the playoffs every year, he could have 5 straight MVPs.

Also, him not being the number one (or two or three) pick in the draft and stuff does' help either.

Actually him NOT being the top pick adds to his story. We've all heard it before, how so many teams passed up on him and some twice. Being the #1 pick in mlb doesn't carry the same cachet as the nfl or nba. 

[yk9001]

This is not Trout’s problem. It is not baseball’s “marketing” problem. It is our problem.

 

Good lord.

[Stradling]

7 hours ago, Puget Sound Angel said:

Baseball does not have the same cultural impact outside the stadium with the general public than it did 20-25 years ago. Seriously, what current player could walk down any city in America and be immediately recognized? Derek Jeter, but he is retired. I doubt the average person in Peoria, Ill would recognize Trouty.

Ortiz would be recognized, possibly Albert, but both of them it is because of their tenure.  If you've been on tv for 15+ years you become recognizable. 

[arch stanton]

West coast games end late.

[mulwin444]

15 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

Yeah, that's probably true. But Harper's stock has gone down a bit this year. He seems to have figured things out, and still has two more seasons before he hits free agency - unless the Nationals can somehow lock him before hand. If he can recapture his Babe Ruth form of last year, or at least a more likely .300/.430/.600 with 40 HR, then he will be hitting free agency as a 26-year old and very well might get that 10/$400k contract some have predicted.

So let's say Harper gets 10/$400M for his age 26-35 years (or even 12/$500M, but let's not go there yet). At that point Trout will have just turned 27 and be entering his age 27 season with two years left at $34M a piece. Maybe the Angels say, we'll up those two years to $40M each and add eight at $40M per to pay you through your 37th birthday. Or maybe they say, 10/$450M for 2019-2028 (age 27-36). It will probably take $40-45M a year.

Harper has 1 month left of this season plus all of '17 but becomes a free agent before the '18 season at the age of 26 so the Nats better hustle if they want to lock him up.  Being a Bora$ client though, almost foregone conclusion he reaches FA.