Trout agreed to the longterm extension with the Angels two years before he could have reached free agencyGETTY IMAGES
Recent long-term extensions for Angels CF Mike Trout and Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado have to "raise some eyebrows" around MLB, as neither player "wanted anything to do with free agency," according to Barry Rozner of the Chicago DAILY HERALD. That has to be a "big concern" for the MLBPA , which spent the offseason "crying about collusion ... while ignoring the fact that the CBAs they've agreed to with the salary-tax impediment are having a huge impact on free agency." The message here "seems to be that these players wanted a bird in the hand, and that's an unusual position for the best players in the game" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 3/20). In DC, Thomas Boswell writes Trout's decision has a "powerful context: the disappointing to disastrous experience of many free agents over the past two offseasons." Before the CBA expires after '21, fans are "going to see others get their long-term extensions done before free agency" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/20). SI.com's Tom Verducci wrote Trout "took less" money than what he may have garnered on the open market, and did so "two full years from free agency." This "dovetails with the many stars before him just in the past three years that sold their free agent rights rather than exercising them." Owners have "keenly slow-played free agency ... to convince players not to push the envelope" (SI.com, 3/19).
LOCATION, LOCATION: ESPN's Michael Smith said, "If you’re (MLB Commissioner) Rob Manfred ... you’re not happy about this contract. You want to see him go somewhere and compete and play on your biggest stage." ESPN's Bomani Jones: "I would like to see him play for somebody other than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" (“High Noon,” ESPN, 3/19). MLB Network's Chris Russo said the Angels are the "second team in that market" (“High Heat,” MLB Network, 3/19). But ESPN's Michael Wilbon said, "One of its most important markets has to be Southern California, and it’s not just the Dodgers, it’s the market. So yes, it's good for baseball” (“PTI,” ESPN, 3/19).
SITTING PRETTY: In N.Y., Joel Sherman notes Trout, Arenado, Phillies RF Bryce Harper and Padres 3B Manny Machado "agreed to pacts worth more" than $1.3B combined this offseason. There are "lots of contractual problems for aging players, the middle class and in some cases pitchers, but not for the best prime-aged position players who have leverage" (N.Y. POST, 3/20). ESPN's Jeff Passan: "When you have a free-agent market that’s not paying players when they hit it in their 30's, players know more and more to get paid in your 20's. That’s what they’re doing here” (“OTL,” ESPN, 3/19).
