Trout on contract talks: 'I don't want to comment'
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Superstar center fielder Mike Trout has two years remaining on his six-year, $144.5 million contract extension signed in 2014, but the biggest question in Angels camp is whether he'd be willing to sign another extension to remain with the organization beyond 2020.
Trout, a two-time American League MVP Award winner who is widely regarded as the best player in baseball, and owner Arte Moreno met separately with the media on Monday, but neither would confirm that extension talks have begun between the Angels and Trout's agent, Craig Landis.
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"I'm not going to talk about that," Trout said. "Just trying to come in and get ready for spring, get ready for the season. I don't want to comment on that."
Moreno reiterated that keeping Trout long term remains the top priority for the club, but he also wouldn't go into detail about any possible negotiations.
"I would probably say that we are in discussions [internally]," Moreno said. "In one of the last interviews I gave, I said it's not in the back of our mind, but it's in the front of our mind. I think it also depends a little bit on the agent and the player. So it's not just us. We try to stay in communication with how they are feeling."
Trout, a seven-time All-Star who has finished in the top two in AL MVP balloting in six of the past seven seasons, was also asked if he wanted to stay with the Angels long term, but he deflected the question.
"I don't want to comment on that," Trout said. "But like I said, I enjoy it here. I'm having fun. Obviously, losing is not fun, but I enjoy playing this game. I leave it out on the field every night, every day and I go from there."
Trout, who is a noted Philadelphia sports fan who grew up in nearby Millville, N.J., was also asked several questions about Philadelphia, especially with the allure of playing closer to home.
"I don't think I went a day this offseason without someone asking, 'Hey when are you coming to Philly?'" Trout said. "I can't predict the future."
Trout, though, did say he was pleased with the Angels' offseason, when general manager Billy Eppler signed veterans Matt Harvey, Trevor Cahill, Cody Allen, Justin Bour and Jonathan Lucroy to one-year deals. The Angels are trying to stay flexible. They have a rising farm system with several top prospects who are close to the Majors, such as outfielders Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh and starting pitchers Griffin Canning and Jose Suarez.
"Each year since Billy's been here, he's been bringing in guys that improve the team. That's all you can ask for," Trout said. "Obviously, we weren't where we wanted to be the last few years, but it's like a puzzle, trying to bring in guys that fit this team. We've brought a bunch of veteran guys in, and we'll see where it goes. I come here, and I can only do what I can do. But bringing in new faces, it's good."
As Trout alluded to, the Angels have only made the postseason once in his career, coming in 2014, when they were swept by the Royals in the AL Division Series. But he believes if this club can avoid the injury bug, they are built to compete.
"I think we lost like five starters last year or something like that, something crazy, that doesn't help," Trout said. "When we get knocked down, we just have got to try to get back up as quick as we can. We can't get down on ourselves. If we lose a game, we can't bring it to the next game."