Trout free agency

[failos]

keep beating that dead horse and Trout will actually leave

[Dtwncbad]

If Trout signs an extension with an opt out, we just hit the reset button and start the freak out over him potentially opting out, right?

 

[Docwaukee]

17 minutes ago, failos said:

keep beating that dead horse and Trout will actually leave

I think it's the opposite.  The more media attention he gets, the more he's gonna want to stay in a place where it's easily manageable.  

[failos]

30 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

I think it's the opposite.  The more media attention he gets, the more he's gonna want to stay in a place where it's easily manageable.  

I feel that that is what the media is trying to accomplish here though.

[Lou]

8 hours ago, arch stanton said:

Come on man. It's perfectly natural to spend your time speculating about what someone you've never met may or may not due in a particular circumstance that may or may not ever occur 2 years down the road. What else is there to do on a Wednsday afternoon?

learn how to spell Wednesday? 

[WeatherWonk]

On 1/23/2019 at 12:50 PM, Dochalo said:

the last place that Trout is going to go to is the yankees*.  

he hates the spot light.  he said he likes it here.  

either he'll believe he has a chance to win here and stay or he won't.  All of the other stuff you mentioned is just clutter.  He's gonna get the highest contract in mlb history.  not 200m for 7 years.  That's less than he makes now+.  Don't be absurd.  It's also different for a guy who has almost half a billion dollars committed to him over the next 12 years to be bi-coastal.  He can afford private jets for his family and premier houses wherever he wants.  He can and has gone back to the east coast in the off season.  He's not going to be hunting or going to eagles games during the season anyway.  Half the time he'll be traveling.    

As much as he wants to win, he's also not a mercenary.  Whether you want to believe this or not and I would consider it as feasible as any of the borderline reasons you cited as to him going.  Albert Pujols is his mentor.  I think deep down, and I am sure he's conveyed this to Mike, Albert is bummed he didn't stay with the Cardinals.  

By the time two years goes by, he'll have as good a chance to win here as almost anywhere that can afford him#.  Pretty much every major league player was a prospect at some point.  Where do you think they come from?   

So maybe Mike waits a year to find out how that component progresses.  Maybe he waits two years.  We'll still have an exclusive window to negotiate with him even after his contract expires.  If the prospects don't develop as expected then so be it.  Shit happens and he'll leave.  Not much we can do about that.  But at least they tried to do it the right way.  

Every team you mentioned built their team with a strong core of club controlled players.  Then they signed some and traded for others.  It's exactly the path we are on and exactly what we intent to do.  

The only way he doesn't stay at this point is if the team Eppler is putting together for the future doesn't actually start to show something.   

I personally believe that Arte is committed to winning and will go the extra mile when he feels the time is right.  Maybe not all at one but over the next two to three years.  Add a high priced pitcher or position player next year.  Another before the 2021 season.  Maybe make a trade or two.  Defer some money.  Honestly, I see the Halos doing what the nats are doing now but perhaps from 2021-2024.  

Mike Trout or no Mike Trout.  We're doing it the right way in my opinion.  Sometimes shit happens and it doesn't work but this gives us the best chance for the future.  

I think I'll take these in the order that I've highlighted them............

*OK, so the Yankees are the last place in the world he would ever go because he avoids the spotlight. He's loathe to enter the largest media market in baseball.............but he somehow manages to do just fine in the SECOND largest media market in baseball? I think he can handle more than you are giving him credit for.

+my point on the salary of 200/7 was an arbitrary figure to point out the difference between what these super free agents are predicted to get and what they end up getting over the last two years. Only a few months ago, Machado and Harper were shoo-ins for 30+ mil/year over 10 years. Now, it's not looking like it. But even if my arbitrary figure is too low, and you feel it will be higher, you are just reinforcing my argument further. He will get north of the 345 mil minimum from several clubs, and so can pick and choose, based on his existing lifestyle. Money may become even less of a motivator, if he's gonna be richer than God, anyway.

#you really cant know if the Angels will be a winning ballclub in two years. No one can. Trout will wait it out, if winning is truly his strongest motivator. But the Angels may need to know sooner, rather than later. I cant imagine they would be happy with letting Trout walk with only a QO in return.

This is a very key year. If the Angels dont make serious progress in becoming a much better team, I doubt he bases his decision on whether we are on a lengthy winning track by virtue of only one year (2020). I think we are in agreement with that, based on your third to last paragraph.

And we certainly could, even if many of our players dont perform as expected/hoped for. Our record could improve simply by an overall weakening of our division.

[Sully151]

3 hours ago, WeatherWonk said:

I think I'll take these in the order that I've highlighted them............

*OK, so the Yankees are the last place in the world he would ever go because he avoids the spotlight. He's loathe to enter the largest media market in baseball.............but he somehow manages to do just fine in the SECOND largest media market in baseball? I think he can handle more than you are giving him credit for.

 

The media and the fans in Orange County are nothing like the media and the fans in NY. Los Angeles media and fans don’t give a shit about Trout and basically leave him alone. He has it nice and easy here.

[Docwaukee]

3 hours ago, WeatherWonk said:

I think I'll take these in the order that I've highlighted them............

*OK, so the Yankees are the last place in the world he would ever go because he avoids the spotlight. He's loathe to enter the largest media market in baseball.............but he somehow manages to do just fine in the SECOND largest media market in baseball? I think he can handle more than you are giving him credit for.

+my point on the salary of 200/7 was an arbitrary figure to point out the difference between what these super free agents are predicted to get and what they end up getting over the last two years. Only a few months ago, Machado and Harper were shoo-ins for 30+ mil/year over 10 years. Now, it's not looking like it. But even if my arbitrary figure is too low, and you feel it will be higher, you are just reinforcing my argument further. He will get north of the 345 mil minimum from several clubs, and so can pick and choose, based on his existing lifestyle. Money may become even less of a motivator, if he's gonna be richer than God, anyway.

#you really cant know if the Angels will be a winning ballclub in two years. No one can. Trout will wait it out, if winning is truly his strongest motivator. But the Angels may need to know sooner, rather than later. I cant imagine they would be happy with letting Trout walk with only a QO in return.

This is a very key year. If the Angels dont make serious progress in becoming a much better team, I doubt he bases his decision on whether we are on a lengthy winning track by virtue of only one year (2020). I think we are in agreement with that, based on your third to last paragraph.

And we certainly could, even if many of our players dont perform as expected/hoped for. Our record could improve simply by an overall weakening of our division.

as mentioned, NY media is much different.  As are the fans frankly.  Same with Philadelphia.  I really think that will play into his decision.  Trout has truly said he likes it here so honestly I really don't think location is going to be the major issue. 

I also think Harper is going to get paid his 30 aav for 10 years.  He'll break Stanton's record.  Machado could have had more suitors if he didn't act like an idiot.  He brought that on himself.  There's a reason why a player of his talent is getting offer that seem lower than expected.  Trout is the complete opposite of those guys.  Not showy.  Loves the game.  Great teammate.  Plays hard everyday and has fun.  Remarkably consistent.  Whatever an extension would look like with the halos, it's gonna be over the $34 mil he's already getting.  

I'm pretty sure it will be close to $400 mil for the next 10 years (likely tearing up the current two years and making a new one).  

I fully agree we can't know that the Angels will be a winning ball club by 2021.  That probably creates the biggest potential rub in the entire process of stay or go.  It's not important that we win this this especially because it would likely be on the shoulders of a bunch of 1yr contracts.  But it is important to see some production or at least improvement and positive steps forward from the guys who are going to be around for Trout's extension.  

And let's not forget.  The Angels do have money.  They have the resources to sign a Garret Cole or Nolan Arrenado next year should they be available or whoever the marquee free agents are in 2021 or 2022.  Just because they don't view Harper or Machado as the right guys for them this year, doesn't mean they aren't committed to spending down the line and in fact they've shown their willingness with a recent Upton contract and their action of guys like Corbin and Grandal.  

It would absolutely make sense for Trout to wait at least another year if not two in order to determine if Eppler's plan is actually going to work.  Sometimes your prospects don't develop on time or at all.  That would suck but the Angels are going to wait till the very end and give Trout every last second to decide.  I know a lot of people aren't going to like this, but they aren't ever going to trade him.  It's going to be similar to how the Nats went with Harper (who I think will end up with him).  

I like our spot relative to where the division is headed over the next 2-3 years.  The Astros aren't going to be a 95 win team forever.  They're essentially looking at turning their entire pitching staff over in a two year period.  They've got a lot of young pitching so it's going to get interesting.  

I just really like where we're headed.  Two years ago this franchise was circling the drain.  We were in a spot where I couldn't even possibly imagine Trout staying long term.  Now I think the odds are in our favor.  

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

If money is the main consideration for Trout, he could make a ton of money from product endorsements. I'm pretty sure baseball is his priority right now. He has enough money right now to last a reasonable person for the rest of their life. I say that as a person who has no idea what it's like to have that type of money though.

[Sully151]

10 hours ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

If money is the main consideration for Trout, he could make a ton of money from product endorsements. I'm pretty sure baseball is his priority right now. He has enough money right now to last a reasonable person for the rest of their life. I say that as a person who has no idea what it's like to have that type of money though.

$145 million should last several reasonable people the rest of their lives.

[Blarg]

Trout could retire comfortably after the 2020 season. He will have earned $78 million dollars. 

[Hubs]

9 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Trout could retire comfortably after the 2020 season. He will have earned $78 million dollars. 

Uh you missed a few years. He’s earned that much now. He’s due nearly $70 in the next two.

[Blarg]

My bad, read the breakdown wrong. He should call it quits and go fishing. 

[Jay]

20 hours ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

If money is the main consideration for Trout, he could make a ton of money from product endorsements. I'm pretty sure baseball is his priority right now. He has enough money right now to last a reasonable person for the rest of their life. I say that as a person who has no idea what it's like to have that type of money though.

[ten ocho recon scout]

On 1/23/2019 at 2:28 PM, NJHalo said:

Don't let the California state income tax be a factor. He'll get wrecked here in New Jersey as well.

But how is the pizza there? Because according to some on here, trout is big into pizza. And the lack of photos on google images showing him eating local pizza lends one to believe it never happened.

 

[ten ocho recon scout]

On 1/24/2019 at 3:50 PM, Sully151 said:

The media and the fans in Orange County are nothing like the media and the fans in NY. Los Angeles media and fans don’t give a shit about Trout and basically leave him alone. He has it nice and easy here.

Not to mention he is able to limit the people back home from hitting him up every day while hes out here....

[eligrba]

Just got here.  Sorry I'm late.

What have I missed?

[Lou]

On January 23, 2019 at 10:11 AM, WeatherWonk said:

Look at Trout's life, to this point. What, if any, indication is there that he wants to stay on the West Coast? There really is none. He spends virtually all of his time on the east coast;  outside of having to "work" on the West Coast. 

Well, except helicoptering in for pizza on State College Blvd, of course..................

Signing the contract to buy out a few years of arb and FAgency was a no-brainer. He would have done that even if he had been playing for the Mariners or the A's or the Padres. He knew that he would still be young enough to get a really fat contract when this extension expires. He would still be in his prime. He would be able to choose the location of his liking, after this. Signs point to that being on the east coast, IMO. 

And, as he has said on more than one occasion, he wants to win.

Now, many on AW simply dismiss this statement as nothing more than an indication of his competitiveness. "Of course he wants to win! Everyone does! Don't read too much into this! Arte will offer him so much that he can't refuse!!!" I suppose it's possible, even after factoring in the 13.3% state income tax that CA will nick him for. But he doesnt seem like a guy that motivated by money alone.

Still, at the end of your career, what does one remember the most? How much money you made? "Man, I'll never forget making 34 million with the Angels in 2018! That was awesome!" 

No, when you know you are going to have more money than you will ever need, NO MATTER WHERE YOU END UP, you can choose a location that conforms to your lifestyle, Conforms to your family's lifestyle. Conforms to your desire to WIN.

At the end of your career, you will remember the championships you won or the playoff games you performed well in, regardless of the outcome. YOUR team against THEIR team, on the big stage! And baseball is a very TEAM sport. One person, even the GOTG, cannot carry a team to a championship. Even Mad Bum and Mariano Rivera had to GET a lead, to hold it.

The playoffs look far from certain for the Angels in 2019-2020, the last two years of Trout's contract. The complementary players to build a better team around Trout, have not materialized.  Three straight losing seasons with a top seven payroll. Yeah, I know, Dipoto, Dipoto, Dipoto and Albert, Albert, Albert, and Astro, Astros, Astros, blah, blah, blah..............

The farm system, while stronger than maybe the last ten years, is still only a hope. That's all farm hands ever are, until they perform at the ML level;  the way the young players for the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Cubs, the Astros and the Braves have. The window for our young players to prove themselves, within Trout's window in Anaheim, is slowing coming down.

Maybe Canning and Suarez and Adell and Marsh and Thaiss and Jones and Ward and Maitan and Rengifo will all become 2+ WAR players by the end of 2020. They will be plugged into our lineup and/or flipped for players who can (and fit within Arte's apparent salary constraints). We will overtake the Astros and have a better chance than a one-game play-in shot at the playoffs. But it is probable? Will Mike Trout and his agent feel this is probable?

Here's something else to consider. What if Trout's wife becomes pregnant in the next year? This has a way of happening to newlyweds. Mightn't that be a factor in wanting to spend more time where his family is? If she has been traveling at all with Mike for the last seven years, as he spends so much time on the West Coast, wouldnt she want to remain where all of her family can assist her in raising the child? Very possibly. Another reason to want to be based on the east coast. I think if Mike Trout's wife is expecting in the next 12-18 months, he is absolutely GONE.........................

I think about the only thing playing into the Angels hands, with respect to re-signing him, is the nature of the "super" free agent market, over the last two off seasons. HIs agent could, conceivably, recommend that he sign a fat extension, rather that be subjected to the whims of the owners, as the new CBA approaches. But even then, if we assume he gets a contract for "only" say 200 mil over 7 years, he will still have already earned about 145 million. The 345 million total might be enough for him to say, "I've made enough money, I'm playing where I want to, with the greatest chance of being in the playoffs."

Is that really with an Arte owned team? The Angels have made the playoffs six times in his ownership. Only once since 2009. In the first 3-4 times, it was a team significantly configured by previous ownership, excepting the acquisition of Vlad. Teams with the full imprint of Arte's ownership, have not faired well, with respect to the playoffs. It's not from lack of trying, though. It's been mostly bad signings and bad luck (injuries and even death). Now, he's taking a different tack, thanks largely to Eppler. Build from within, as much as possible. Will there be time enough to satisfy Trout?

Lots of players have trophy cases filled with individual awards. Trout is already one of them.

But I suspect many would trade trophies and dollars for a World Series win and to be able to cherish those memories with their teammates, after they retire. Mike Trout seems like he would take all that over Arte's millions. 

Ya know, I never could resist stirring up an ant hill or throwing rocks at bee hives. Bring it on, AW goose-steppers!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[T.G.]

@WeatherWonk hasn't posted all day. Funny, I didn't notice until you bumped his post.

[Blarg]

On 1/28/2019 at 7:51 PM, eligrba said:

Just got here.  Sorry I'm late.

What have I missed?

Trout is going to sign with Philly.

[Blarg]

On 1/23/2019 at 9:10 AM, Jeff Fletcher said:

I still think it's more likely than not that he agrees to an extension and never gets to free agency.

Maybe so.

[Roy Hobbs]

1 hour ago, Lou said:

 

 

 

 

 

Nice work,Lou.

[eligrba]

23 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Trout is going to sign with Philly.

Crap.

Franchise over.

[ten ocho recon scout]

He just made enough money to purchase an actual helicopter to bring him his pizza from st college.

But being that we still dont have pictures of him eating pizza, were still not sure any of this is true yet.

Pizza pics or get out, media.

[Blarg]

You should introduce him to Warehouse Pizza in Laverne.