Mike Trout Signs With the Angels…..for 2014

Sep 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates hitting a home run in the first inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Trout is now signed, sealed and delivered. At least, for the 2014 season.

While details and rumors continue to leak out about a possible extension between the Angels and Trout, there was still a small problem, namely that Trout was not under contract for the 2014 season. That problem has been rectified, as the Angels have inked Trout to a one year contract for $1 Million.

Although that amount is far below what Mike Trout is worth, it is still a nice payout. With that $1 Million contract, Trout set a record for the largest contract given to a player before arbitration, surpassing the $900,000 amount received by Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols. Trout, with his impressive blend of power and speed, is the type of player that a team can justify spending that type of money before arbitration.

Signing Trout to such a deal also serves a couple of purposes for the Angels. First, they avoid the same type of backlash they received last year, when they simply renewed his contract for $510,000 following a season where he finished second in the MVP balloting. By giving Trout that type of payout, the Angels can avoid the criticism they received in 2013.

Secondly, this gives the Angels and Trout’s agent more time to work on an extension. With Mike Trout expected to receive a six year extension worth approximately $150 Million, it makes sense for both sides to be cautious. Now, the Angels and Trout do not need to worry about a deadline, and can focus on bridging the reported eight figure gap in negotiations.

It may not be the contract that we were hoping for, but Mike Trout has been signed for 2014. Yet, this one year deal may just be a precursor to a larger contract that will keep Trout in an Angels uniform for a lot longer.