What does Bryce Harper’s mega deal mean for Mike Trout, Angels?

The long-awaited signing of Bryce Harper has finally happened. One person who has been watching this situation is the Angels Mike Trout. Trout is going to be a free agent soon and this deal sets the market.

After none of the major free agents signing deals for most of the Winter, the past week has been busy.  The Angels Mike Trout has no doubt been watching things very closely because in two more years this could potentially be him looking for a mega-deal when free agency comes for the 27-year old Trout will have the potential to get upwards of 400 million dollars over close to 10 years.

However, with Bryce Harper’s deal being for 13 years and 330 million dollars to the Philadelphia Phillies, what does that do to the Trout market.  Trout will be almost 30 when he hits the free agent market.  Will this keep him from getting a 10 plus year deal from someone? Probably not, if Trout wants that and a team wants him bad enough they will do it.

Harper should owe a debt of gratitude to both the Dodgers and Giants for driving the market up and calling the Phillies bluff.  Philadelphia wanted Harper all along, but were trying to be coy hoping he would lessen his demands, which worked to a point as they got Harper for just over 25 million per season.

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Manny Machado signed a 10 year-300 million dollar deal, an average of $30 million per season to play for the Padres.  In addition an extension that is very noteworthy was announced Wednesday and that was an 8-year $260 million deal signed by Nolan Arenado with will pay him 32.5 million annually which is more per year than either Machado or Harper.

Now Mike Trout knows what he can expect when/if he hits the open market, or also what he can ask for in an extension. For the Angels it takes one of the biggest competitors for Trout off the board.  The Phillies have been rumored to the New Jersey native’s first choice if he goes elsewhere when he becomes a free agent.

This does not mean Trout can’t sign with the Phillies, but at close to 35 million dollars per year it is not likely as the Phillies would be spending $60 million dollars or more per season to just two players.  The Angels also now have some numbers to bargain with Trout with.

As much as everyone wants it I don’t expect Trout to sign anytime soon.  He may be willing to go for an extension, but it will probably not be negotiated until after the 2019 season at the earliest.  Your move Arte, you are now on the clock.