Mike Trout just keeps setting records and getting accolades. The 22-year-old was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2012, and finished second in AL MVP voting in both 2012 and 2013. Now he has set a record for the biggest pre-arbitration contract in MLB history as the Los Angeles Angels have signed him for one-year at $1 million.
The contract surpasses the record of $900,000 shared by Ryan Howard’s third year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that was signed in 2007 and Albert Pujols’ third year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that was signed in 2003.
Angels Sign Mike Trout to Record-Setting One Year Deal
“It’s a landmark to do a $1 million with a two-plus player,” Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “I think it’s fitting and Mike’s earned that and we’re glad to provide that for him.’
“We thought his performance was exceptional,” Dipoto said. “There are players that force you to break rules. What he did for two consecutive years forced us to break our own rule. His performance certainly merited us to do differently than any of the others.”
Trout made $510,000, just $20,000 m0re than the major league minimum last season.
Various reports also indicate that the Angels and Trout are working on a long-term extension that will take up his arbitration and early free agency years, and could be worth as much as $150 million over six years.
Trout has been nothing short of remarkable in his first two years:
In 2012, Trout was called up one month into the season. He hit .326/.399/.564 with 30 home runs, 49 stolen bases, 83 RBIs, 120 runs and posted a WAR of 10.0.
In 2013 he hit .323/.432/.557 with 27 home runs, 33 stolen bases, 97 RBIs, 109 runs scored and posted a WAR of 10.4.
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Main Photo Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
