Trout says Harper, Machado delays were 'red flag'

Los Angeles superstar outfielder Mike Trout admits that watching Manny Machado and Bryce Harper plod through free agency this offseason helped him decide to sign a mega-extension with the Angels, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
“I kind of saw what Bryce and Manny went through and it drew a red flag for me,” Trout said. “I talked to Manny and Bryce. It was a tough couple months in the offseason. They put it (in) perspective in my mind. I obviously want to be an Angel for life. That was a big key.”
Trout, the two-time Most Valuable Player and seven-time All-Star, would have become a free agent after the 2020 season. Instead, he signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension.
Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres, but had to wait until mid-February to get the contract he felt he’d earned.
Harper had to wait even longer to ink a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Over his seven-plus seasons in the majors, Trout is a .307 hitter with 240 home runs and 648 RBIs. His wins above replacement (WAR) total of 64.2 is the highest ever for a player at his experience level.
–Field Level Media