OC Register: Where Mike Trout’s deal would land among the 10 biggest contracts in pro sports history

[AngelsWin.com]

If the Angels and Mike Trout agree to their rumored monster contract extension Tuesday – which would bring his deal an eye-popping 12 years and $426.5 million – it would be the most lucrative in baseball history and second all-time professional sports. The extension, for 10 years and $360 million, will be on top of the $66.5 million Trout will be paid over the next two years, the final two of his current contract.

It would also mean baseball players currently hold nine of the top 10 spots for largest sports contracts.

If Trout signs the deal, here is a look at what would be the 10 biggest contract in sports:

1) Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) $426.5 million

The 27-year-old star center fielder, a unanimous AL Rookie of the Year and two-time AL MVP, could have become a free agent after the 2020 season. If he signs the extension, he could end his career with the team that drafted him 25th overall in the 2009 MLB Draft.

2) Canelo Álvarez (boxing) $365 million

The Mexican superstar signed an 11-fight contract over five years with DAZN, a video streaming service, on Oct. 17, 2018. The middleweight champion got one fight out of the way with a third-round TKO of Rocky Fielding in December to win the super middleweight title.

3) Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) $330 million

The former Washington Nationals right fielder signed a 13-year contract through 2031 with the Phillies on March 2. He had hopes of luring Trout, a native of Millville, N.J., to Philly, but that appears moot now.

4) Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins/New York Yankees) $325 million

The former Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks star signed a 13-year contract extension with the Miami Marlins on Nov. 17, 2014 – the largest contract in pro sports history at the time. Three years later, the slugger was traded to the Yankees.

5) Manny Machado (San Diego Padres) $300 million

The longtime Baltimore Orioles (and short-time Dodgers) infielder reached a 10-year deal on Feb. 21 that was the largest agreement for a major-league player on the open market … for all of nine days until Harper and the Phillies made history.

6) Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) $275 million

Rodriguez opted out of an already gaudy deal (see No. 8 below) and signed a 10-year deal with the Yankees in 2008 for $23 million more than his previous contract.

7) Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies) $260 million

The former El Toro High of Lake Forest star and perennial Gold Glove third baseman agreed to an eight-year deal on Feb. 27 with the team that drafted him 59th overall in the second round in 2009. The contract has an opt-out clause after three years.

8) Alex Rodriguez (Texas Rangers/Yankees) $252 million

A-Rod and the Rangers reached a staggering 10-year deal in 2000. Four years later, he was traded to the Yankees.

9) Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) $248 million

The first baseman signed an eight-year extension at age 31 in 2014 that would keep him under contract through 2023, but has struggled with injuries the past two seasons.

10) (tie) Albert Pujols (Angels) and Robinson Cano (Seattle Mariners) $240 million

Pujols broke hearts in St. Louis on Dec. 8, 2012, when the three-time NL MVP first baseman signed a 10-year contract with the Angels. Two years later, Cano left the Yankees for his own 10-year contract to change coasts and play second base in Seattle.

Related Articles

• Reaction: Mike Trout, Angels near agreement on long-term monster deal
• Mike Trout, Angels nearing agreement on 12-year, $426.5 million deal
• Angels’ Peter Bourjos hopes to revive career where it began, thanks to new swing
• Angels drop game to Padres despite Matt Harvey’s best outing of spring
• Angels’ Shohei Ohtani steps up rehab with batting practice in the cage

View the full article