The February 25th, 2014 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including everyone is talking about a potential Mike Trout extension and much more…
The Story: Mike Trout's rumored contract extension would be unprecedented.
The Monkey Says: This is a fact lost on many of us, myself included, who can't believe that Trout is signing for so little money. No player at his service level would have ever gotten that much money, yet people still think he deserves more.
The Story: The Angels are lucky that Trout is even willing to sign an extension with them.
The Monkey Says: Not really. Players sign long-term deals with bad teams all the time and the Angels aren't even that bad. Plus their future isn't as royally screwed as is suggested in the article. The Angels should contend for a playoff spot this year and probably next year too. Three years from now, a lot of money will have come off the books and the Halos will be freed up to start making more maneuvers to stay in contention. It won't be easy, but neither is rebuilding from the farm up. Besides, if Trout really does work it so that he is a free agent at age 28, he really isn't risking that much.
The Story: The Angels are going to screw up Mike Trout's contract.
The Monkey Says: The suggestion that if Trout is unwilling to sign for more than six years, then the Angels should just go to arbitration with him is stupid. Yes, the Angels should try and lock him up longer, but Trout is using the one element of leverage he has here. In fact, there is a school of thought that a shorter deal might ultimately hurt Trout as the next CBA negotiations are expected to be contentious, so there is a chance that there might somehow be financial restrictions put on contracts or team spending that prohibit him from getting the megadeal many expect as a free agent. So, no, they aren't getting the best deal but they aren't screwing it up either.
The Story: What is Mike Trout really worth?
The Monkey Says: See, they aren't screwing it up, they are saving $80 million. He's a bargain!
The Story: There is no need to wait until after Opening Day to announce any new deal for Mike Trout.
The Monkey Says: In a rare feat of foresight, MLB changed their rules so teams and players didn't have to make a charade of negotiations for the purposes of the luxury tax. Now if a deal is struck, they can announce it right away, which is a relief to us all.
The Story: Kevin Jepsen has a new arm slot for the 2014 season.
The Monkey Says: Yep, a new deliver and a new changeup, too! I don't see how this could possibly go wrong for Jepsen.
The Story: The consensus top 160 prospects.
The Monkey Says: Taylor Lindsey checks in at 133 with Cowart and Cron in the nebulous tie for 200.
The Story: Sean Burnett has begun a full long toss program.
The Monkey Says: He is now out to 120 feet and is hoping to throw off a mound by the end of next week. He is still on track to be ready just in time for Opening Day.
The Monkey Says: If this is the case, it means the Angels would pay the luxury tax this season, but it would lower Trout's tax number over the life of the deal by nearly $4 million and thus make it easier to start under the tax line in 2015 and 2016.
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