Spring training notes

ANGELS Trout signs 6-year deal

LOS ANGELES - Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels agreed Friday night to a $144.5 million, sixyear contract, keeping baseball’s brightest young star under club control through 2020.

The Angels announced the deal with the 22-year-old outfielder, saying Trout and his family will be at a news conference today in Anaheim to formally announce the contract along with owner Arte Moreno, Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Jerry Dipoto.

Few players in major-league history have approached Trout’s accomplishments in his first two full seasons. The Millville, N.J., product was a unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year in 2012, and he finished second in AL MVP voting to Miguel Cabrera the past two years.

Trout’s deal came on the same day Cabrera finalized a $292 million, 10-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, the richest contract in American sports.

The free-spending Angels were determined to reward Trout while locking up their prized possession beyond his first few years of eligibility for arbitration and free agency. Los Angeles has been quietly negotiating with Trout’s representatives throughout spring training, and they closed the deal three days before opening day at Angel Stadium.

Trout agreed Feb. 26 to a $1 million, one-year contract for 2014, much more than the Angels were required to offer him. His new deal runs from 2015-20.

The outfielder would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season, and for free agency following the 2017 World Series. Now, he won’t be eligible for free agency until at least age 29.

It’s the latest big-money deal for the Angels, who are entering the third season of a $240 million, 10-year contract with first baseman Albert Pujols, the second season of a $125 million, five-year agreement with outfielder Josh Hamilton and the third season of an $85 million, five-year contract with pitcher Jered Weaver.

Trout is batting .314 with 62 home runs and 196 RBI in 336 career games, including 40 games in 2011. The speedy center fielder also has stolen 86 bases while playing stellar defense and making two All-Star teams, starting for the AL last summer.

He is one of four players in baseball history to bat .320 with 50 home runs and 200 runs in his first two full seasons, joining Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and Pujols.

The deal provides huge security for Trout. He received a bonus of $1,215,000 when he signed after the Angels selected him with the 25th overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft. He made $482,500 two years ago and earned a $10,000 bonus for winning the rookie award, then was unilaterally renewed by the Angels last year at $510,000 - $20,000 above the big league minimum at the time.

COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE Revenue could top $9B

BRISTOL, Conn. - Commissioner Bud Selig said the sport’s revenue could top $9 billion this year.

Major League Baseball reached $8 billion for the first time in 2013, up from less than $2 billion when Selig became acting commissioner in 1992.

“I have hopes for $9 billion. I don’t know that we’ll make that this year, but we may,” Selig said Friday during an ESPN conference call ahead of the U.S. opener Sunday night between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego. “How high can it go? If this sport continues to make the progress at all levels, international and everything else… it can go a lot higher.”

Selig also was pleased with the new drug agreement with the players’ association announced later Friday. The deal increased penalties for first and second drug-testing violations and allows an arbitrator to reduce penalties for some banned drugs if a player can prove a positive test was caused by unintentional use.

“It was kind of a lonely battle for a while,” Selig said. “I’m really pleased, and the players’ response has been terrific. We’ve come to a point that nobody could have dreamed about. I’m not telling you things are perfect but, boy, they’ve come a long, long way.”

BREWERS Segura uncertain

MILWAUKEE - Brewers shortstop Jean Segura said his sore right shoulder is feeling better, although it’s unclear whether the All-Star shortstop will be ready when the season starts next week.

Segura missed eight consecutive spring training games entering Friday night’s exhibition game against Kansas City at Miller Park.

Segura fielded grounders during one portion of pregame warm-ups but didn’t make any throws to first. He said he did some light throwing and is making progress.

Manager Ron Roenicke said he’ll monitor Segura over the next two days with the hope that his shortstop will be ready for Monday’s opener against Atlanta.

Sports, Pages 21 on 03/29/2014

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