Mike Trout Proves He Is Worth Much More Than the Los Angeles Angels are Paying Him

Some may say it is only preseason and there is no need to go all out, but that seems to be the only way that L.A. Angels outfielder Mike Trout does it.

I have a feeling that the Angels are going to be sorry that they stiffed him on his contract. Last season's American League Rookie of the Year and runner up MVP only made about $480K last season. Seems like a no-brainer that his pay gets bumped up right?

It did--just not very much. The Angels decided to just renew his contract with only a minimal pay raise. Rather than get the seven figure salary that he deserves he is going to get $510K; just 20K over league minimum.

Trout has been handling it well so far saying that he will have to just go out and prove that he deserves more with his play this season. His agent has been less happy about it; he should probably consider himself lucky that Trout doesn't can him for letting this travesty happen.

In all fairness, the team is likely (hopefully) thinking that they might as well make sure they have a winner in Trout before throwing a ton of money at him. It didn't help that he came into camp looking like he went on a Twinkies bender after Hostess went belly up.

The Angels also have a ton of money invested in Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols. Neither are spring chickens, but they aren't looking ready to retire yet either. Can they really afford to throw a ton of money at Trout with the fortune already promised to those two?

It looks like we will not find out till after this season. If he continues to make plays like this one the Angels are going to have to open the coffers.


[MLB]