Mike Trout said Friday that he is more focused on spring training and the upcoming season than any potential contract negotiations with the Los Angeles Angels, but that does not mean the star outfielder is ruling out signing an extension before next year.
Trout told reporters that he would prefer not to negotiate an extension during spring training or the regular season, which led many to conclude that next offseason is the Angels’ only chance to sign him to a new deal before he hits free agency following the 2020 season.
Mike Trout said he does not want to negotiate an extension during spring training or the regular season over the next two seasons before his contract expires. That means that, if the Angels were to extend him before he hits free agency, that would come next offseason.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 1, 2019
However, Trout later clarified that he was not trying to place parameters on any potential discussions with the team.
To clarify this: Trout ideally doesn’t want to concentrate on a contract extension while he’s playing. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but it’s not his preference. His pre-arb extension in 2014 was signed during spring training (3/28/14).
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 1, 2019
Trout also said he “didn’t mean that” when asked if he is opposed to working out a new deal during spring training or the season.
“It’s spring training,” Trout said, via Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times. “You try to get ready for the season. You don’t worry about anything else. That’s the mindset right now.”
Judging by what Angels owner Arte Moreno said recently, Trout hasn’t had to worry about any of that yet. Bryce Harper’s 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies likely sets the market for Trout, and it will be interesting to see if the Angels are willing to make that type of commitment to the perennial MVP candidate.
