Is Mike Trout The Face Of The Los Angeles Angels?

When you think of the Los Angeles Angels, what is the player that comes to mind the fastest? Is it future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols? Is it newly signed Josh Hamilton? Is it Vernon Wells? (just kidding) Is it Mike Trout?

Sep 22, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) reacts before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

At this point it just might be Trout. This is what happens when you put together one of the greatest seasons of all time. Earlier this month, I proposed the question whether he should get a contract extension in a similar way that the Tampa Bay Rays gave one to Evan Longoria after his fantastic rookie year.Teams and agents take face of the franchise value into account when negotiating contracts for players. Why do you think the Yankees gave Derek Jeter a huge extension? Past performance, the fact that he’s the face of the Yankees and quite possibly Major League Baseball and that he would be the first Yankee to reach 3,000 hits. That’s why David Wright got a lot of money from the Mets, besides the fact that he’s one of the best third baseman in the game. He’s the face of the Mets.

Does it matter who the face of the franchise is? It certainly does. People come to the games to watch the best players in the world play and the biggest and most popular stars are the ones picked for the All-Star Game and for things like the World Baseball Classic.

For the Angels, the face of their franchise may be a second year player. What says you? Is Trout the face of the Angels? Leave a comment or vote in our new poll.