Reaction: Trout 'deserves every penny'

TEMPE, Ariz. -- With the Angels scheduled to play in a Spring Training night game on Tuesday, Angels players who were planning on sleeping in woke up to news of one of the biggest days in franchise history with superstar Mike Trout agreeing to a 12-year extension worth $426.5 million.

Right fielder Kole Calhoun awoke to Trout trying to reach him via FaceTime to break the news, while Albert Pujols said a friend texted him and Andrelton Simmons and Tyler Skaggs found out from their wives. Angels players were excited to hear the news that the consensus best player in the Majors isn’t going anywhere.

"He FaceTimed me, actually and I hadn't even seen my phone yet, wasn't even awake yet,” Calhoun said. “He said he wasn't going to be here today and I just said, 'Congratulations,' right away. Good for him and his family. He's the best player I've ever seen. He's done everything to really deserve this. It couldn't happen to a better guy, really. They've made Mike Trout an Angel for life. Knowing him, they might have to sign him to an extension after this, too, because he'll still find a way to put up numbers. But I think it's great for the fan base. They've made Mike Trout a Halo for life.”

Here’s a roundup of reaction around MLB.

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols: "To be able to finish my career here with the best player in the game, it’s just so well deserved. I’m so happy for him and his family. I think the most important thing for me is that he is the best in the game. For me, to be able to guide him during my years here and just share some of my success or any questions he asks or whatever. Because it’s a scary thing that he wants to get better. He’s 27, you know, and he wants to get better. I don’t know how much better he can get. But he’s just special.”

Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs: “I think it's great. He’s going to go down as the best player ever, and he’ll go down as an Angel in the Hall of Fame. Greatest Angel of all time. Mr. Angel. Mr. Everything. I was a little nervous after I saw some of the things in the media in the past three or four months [about Trout's potential free agency], but I know Mike and he’s very loyal. Loyal to a fault. I’m excited.”

Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons: "He’s a different animal. A man amongst boys. If you think about Angels, you think about Mike Trout. He’s a big piece. He’s the biggest piece, really. I think anybody would agree with that. He’s the main figure in baseball and for the Angels. It’s massive.”

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado: "Amazing deal for the best player in the game. It’s cool to see a team go after him and make sure they keep him like that. He’s probably the greatest five-tool player the game has seen."

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant: “It's kind of funny. It's like there's going to be no free agents. Everybody's signing with their teams, so there's going to be no free agents to fight over. I don't know. It's been kind of a strange offseason in that regard, where everybody's just signing early extensions. But, geez, he's doing well. It's pretty cool to see that. He deserves every penny of it and more. I mean, the guy's been the best player in baseball. He's probably one of the best baseball players ever. I don't even think there's anything to question about him signing that deal. He obviously likes it in L.A. And now he's there forever. That's pretty cool. I'm happy for him."

Brewers outfielder and reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich: “I think he’s established himself as the best player in the game today. Just what he’s done over the last few years, it’s incredible. It’s definitely well deserved. Trout is the best player in the game today. He’s had an unbelievable track record. It feels like he’s going to win the MVP every season.”

Cubs manager Joe Maddon: “Good for the Trout family. I'll say that. Little minnows running everywhere on that one. I'm happy for him. I know Mike. He is the best player in the game. He deserves that. If there's been any concerns about spending money throughout the industry, that kind of maybe squashed it. He deserves it. If you're going to spend that kind of dough on anybody, that'd be the guy to spend it on, I think. What he's done, the years that he's had, and I happen to be walking by the TV, his WAR being what it is at his age. I guess from 2009 to present time, his WAR exceeds everybody else in the game. And he didn't start playing until 2011. That's crazy.”

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus: "If there is somebody who deserves it and has earned it, it's him. He is the only one everybody will say, 'He deserves it.' Anyone who comments in a negative way doesn't know baseball. He is the best player in the game. He shows up every year and you can always say the same thing about him. He is a humble person who plays the game the right way. He is the face of baseball. It’s always good for somebody to get rewarded. Hopefully he’ll start being super nice to us."

Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo: “Wow, that’s a lot of money, but nobody can complain. He earned that contract. He is the best player in a long time."

Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo: "He deserves it. If anybody deserves it, it’s him. You always like to see guys get paid what they are worth. It’s great for him and it’s great for the game.”