Mike Trout is Making $510,000 in 2013, and Here Are 10 Terrible MLB Contracts That Will Make Him Cry
Mike Trout’s contract was renewed by the Angels for $510,000, just $20,000 over the Major League minimum. As noted in this morning’s Roundup, Trout’s agent was not happy with the low salary, thinking the Angels might compensate him a little more for his historic season as the AL MVP runner up. As Jerry Crasnick noted, other teams have bumped up young high performers a little bit more than the rules required (Jeter with the Yankees, Pujols with the Cardinals) to maintain good will.
Trout himself is keeping a good perspective.
“I mean, my time will come,” Trout said before a team meeting. “I just have to keep putting out numbers and concentrating on one thing, and that’s getting to the postseason.”
A look at the MLB salaries available on Baseball Prospectus shows plenty of washed-up veterans making $10+ million per year and stars who reach free agency now commanding more than $20 million per year. The future is not guaranteed, but for a hitter like Trout, he will likely still be around to cash in down the road, even if the relationship with the money-rich Angels could be strained by then.
Here’s a look at some of the players around the league who could stand to give a loan to Mike Trout until that day comes, while they are also busy not earning their current large contracts.
1. Vernon Wells, $24.6 million. If Trout wants to look at what he needs to do to get paid, he can look no further than teammate Vernon Wells, and then maybe ask that the Angels worst outfielder help him out with that new car. Wells is only making about 48x more than Trout in 2013.
2. Alex Rodriguez $29.0 million. He may not play much this year, but at least he has a kind heart and is someone to root for.
3. Jason Bay, approximately $21 million. How bad was Bay’s contract when the Mets agreed to a buyout this offseason so he would not play for them anymore? Well, the Mets still paying Bobby Bonilla not to play for the last decade seems reasonable in comparison.
4. Carl Crawford, $20.857 million. Red Sox fans are happy he is gone. It took moving Adrian Gonzalez along with it to get the Dodgers to take on this lovely contract.
5. Ryan Howard $20 million. Jared from Subway is in better shape and has slightly more upside over the next few years.
6. John Lackey $15.95 million. Couldn’t go to a better guy.
7. Alfonso Soriano $19 million. Yeah, Soriano had a bounce-back year of sorts in 2012 when he hit 32 home runs. He will still be 37 years old this year, and had a WAR of -1.5 the previous three seasons. While Trout contributes all around, Soriano isn’t doing much to earn that money unless he’s banging home runs.
8. Adam Dunn $15 million. Speaking of the opposite of a five tool player, Adam Dunn was for years a sabermetric favorite because of his ability to walk and hit for power. The problem now is that he no longer hits for any type of average to go with those walks (.184 batting average the last two years in Chicago).
9. Jeff Francouer $6.75 million. Yeah, he doesn’t make as much as anyone else on this list, but he doesn’t earn every penny with the worst of them. His Wins Above Replacement was -2.7 last year, thanks to getting on base less than 30% of the time and slugging less than .400 at a power position in right field. At least he was so irreplaceable that the Royals felt they could move their top prospect who played the same position.
10. Barry Zito $20 million. Zito pitches in an extreme pitchers park, but with park adjustments hasn’t been better than the league average in ERA since 2009, and that was the only time since he moved across the Bay in the last six years. He will be 35, and the Giants better hope this season is closer to last year than 2011.

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100 Responses to “Mike Trout is Making $510,000 in 2013, and Here Are 10 Terrible MLB Contracts That Will Make Him Cry”
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March 4th, 2013 at 2:14 PM
johan santana will have one season with 30 starts during his megadeal
poor trout. do it one more time kid, then maybe we’ll ask vernon wells to give you some of his hard earned jack
March 4th, 2013 at 2:14 PM
He should sit out till he’s eligible for free agency.
/Duffy’d
March 4th, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Bonilla.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Baseball!
March 4th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Sports Illustrated told me he was “the natural.”
and he has two World Series rings. get these guys off the list!
March 4th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
I truly believe Zito has been the worst free-agent pitching contract of all time, if not the overall worst free-agent contract.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
one of the commenters the other day, dewar maybe, figured trout would be worth 28m a year if he was on open market. passan of yahoo said 32m this morning on the radio. 10y, 320m
March 4th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Just stay healthy and get to his first Arb yr. Trout will get paid.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Trout will easily clear 5 million in endorsement deals alone. Dude isn’t exactly hurting for money right now.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Mike Trout should sit out 6 years until he’s a free agent.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Can’t blame the brutha for being smart and putting the Mets on the hook for the next three decades or howver long it is.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:17 PM
not one arbitration case this offseason. all settled before hearing. not sure what that means but i think it’s significant
March 4th, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Bonilla
Beat me to it.
And why? B/c the Mets move the meter.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Great Dunn caption.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Read somewhere he packed on 30 pounds in the offseason, so maybe Subway would be a good place to start.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:18 PM
Can’t blame the brutha for being smart and putting the Mets on the hook for the next three decades or howver long it is.
ABA style
March 4th, 2013 at 2:18 PM
damn you crouton.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:18 PM
I do love how the Giants won in 2010 with 20-25% of their payroll tied up in Zito and Rowand, who did nothing for them in that postseason.
and I remember people killed the Red Sox for letting him walk a few years ago. granted, it was only the kind of people who host or call into talk radio, but still.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Everyone knew it was an all-time bad contract even as it was signed
March 4th, 2013 at 2:19 PM
The worst position player in baseball last year yet they trade Wil Myers this offseason. Still baffled by this move.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Yardwok YardWOK YARDWOK!
March 4th, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Amazing that out of all of those I’d probably take Crawford’s deal. At least Zito’s is expiring after this season. Crawford could bounce back after Tommy John surgery. The rest of them are all 34+ years of age (except for Frenchie).
Considering how much Arte Moreno is paying Hamilton, Pujols and Wells this year, I can see why the MVP was not given a bigger raise. Ride those arbitration years as long as possible. That’s why the system is set the way it is.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:19 PM
The worst position player in baseball last year yet they trade Wil Myers this offseason. Still baffled by this move.
who else will buy fans pizza?
March 4th, 2013 at 2:21 PM
I’d select this guy No. 1 overall in that draft.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Go Dodgers!
March 4th, 2013 at 2:21 PM
I asked on Twitter, but this might be a good place. Would someone recommend a good PAY league for Fantasy Baseball? I usually go with Sportsline, but they don’t have innings limits and I seem to keep getting burned by those dudes that use spot starters every day.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:22 PM
March 4th, 2013 at 2:23 PM
maybe it was the second chin you sprouted this offseason, mike.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Darren Dreifort? although I guess he didn’t get nearly as much money. Hampton and Neagle were pretty bad too.
define “bounce back.” I think he’d be lucky to get close to his career averages at this point. not really interested in paying almost $21 million for Shannon Stewart…
March 4th, 2013 at 2:24 PM
I asked on Twitter, but this might be a good place. Would someone recommend a good PAY league for Fantasy Baseball? I usually go with Sportsline, but they don’t have innings limits and I seem to keep getting burned by those dudes that use spot starters every day.
You can play daily leagues with eight transactions a week this year on sportsline now. Which means I’ve been shoved in with my kind on the unlimited daily leagues this year. (shakes fist)
March 4th, 2013 at 2:25 PM
Have more than 125 plate appearances and hit better than .255/.285/.409
March 4th, 2013 at 2:28 PM
You can play daily leagues with eight transactions a week this year on sportsline now. Which means I’ve been shoved in with my kind on the unlimited daily leagues this year. (shakes fist)
I missed that. I briefly scanned the rules a week or so ago and didn’t see “innings limit” so I just assumed.
I hate your types. I really hate it when you start Kevin Correia and he has a better night than Sabathia.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:29 PM
Dreifort signed for 5 yrs/$55 million. threw 205 innings total with a 4.64 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. awful.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:29 PM
John Lackey needs to bounce back to equal Zito’s 2012 stats. He’s been terrible, but at least has filled a spot in a rotation, and occasionally touched mediocrity. The contract is pretty bad, but he’s pitched 180-200 IP 5/6 years.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Mike Hampton’s contract from the Rockies is another one that makes the Zito deal look smart, too.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:31 PM
Remember when this was one of about four places on the Internet to defend the Ryan Howard contract? Man, those were the days.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:31 PM
Still has pain, won’t be ready for opening day.
I hated the contract from day 1, but figured he’d get back to his averages at some point. Not so sure now.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Craig Landis is getting fired, right? The kid either needs to go the team-friendly route and sign a 7-year deal right now or hire Boras. There’s no in-between worth considering
March 4th, 2013 at 2:32 PM
But Mike Hampton could hit dingers!
March 4th, 2013 at 2:35 PM
this is what it sounds like when trout’s cry.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:37 PM
look at that fine tuned athlete. AT LEAST GOLFERS HAVE TO WALK.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:37 PM
Bryce Harper will make $2 million next year. Shows how important your draft pick is.
They’ll both clean up on endorsements though. Living on the East Coast, I may be biased, but I would say Harper will probably do better endorsement-wise.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:37 PM
At least if you suck, be durable. He’s not paid as it, but at least he’s a useful #5 SP. I believe Lackey had a chance for a bounce back this year, but I think he just sucks, UCL or no.
On the other hand, I’m talking myself into the Sox this year. I think the Dempster/Victorino signings will accomplish their goals… an expensive bridge to compete, and give the prospects time to develop.
Tons of buzz around the two pitching prospects from LAD lighting up radar guns this Spring.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:38 PM
$700k in contract, IIRC? You are considering signing bonus too?
March 4th, 2013 at 2:39 PM
I think it was Don Robinson who used to crank these prodigious BP homers for the Pirates back in the day. He hit a few during games as well.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:39 PM
I would say Harper will probably do better endorsement-wise.
Health-wise, too. Trout needs to fire Tim Ryan as his personal trainer/stylist
March 4th, 2013 at 2:41 PM
This is why John Kruk took up baseball instead of golf.
/ John Kruk, Fat Fuck
March 4th, 2013 at 2:41 PM
Considering I see Harper in an Under Armor ad every single time I watch a sporting event and couldn’t pick Trout from a lineup of fat guys who I presume all look like Joba Chamberlain, I’d say this is a safe assumption.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:41 PM
won two Silver Sluggers in Colorado. that contract practically paid for itself!
if he hits better than like .275/.320/.400 I’d be surprised.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:42 PM
Oh you poor poor bastard.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:42 PM
That’s right ($750k). His signing bonus is prorated in 1.25 million chunks each year.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:43 PM
I think that’s a fair expectation. Boston was a terrible fit for a guy who by all accounts is a good guy and puts a ton of pressure on himself.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:43 PM
without looking it up, no way and no way
March 4th, 2013 at 2:45 PM
I still think Harper ends up the better player long term
March 4th, 2013 at 2:45 PM
I was going to say the Pirates giving Matt Morris ten million dollars is worse but then remembered they traded for him to do so which god DAMNIT what the fuck was that.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:45 PM
oh holy shit baseball-reference actually lets you adjust for inflation with player salaries. Hampton’s contract in 2012 dollars would have been something like 8 years and $130 million.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:46 PM
I think Farrell will help Lester a lot. I don’t like Dempster, but I think as a 3rd SP he’ll be okay. Injuries to hitters (Ortiz, Middlebrooks, Ellsbury) will be the big question, followed by the ability to replace Lackey/Doubrant if they are ineffective. I’m not buying the Yankees or Orioles, and despite GGreene’s imploring, I’m not high on Toronto until I see it. The East is more open than you’d think…
/prepares self for 70-win season
March 4th, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Albert Belle’s Orioles contract was bad.
Trout’s fat now, needs to drop some LBS.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:47 PM
whoa.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:48 PM
i like in golf how you get what you earn…dont make the cut? dont make shit.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:48 PM
I still think Harper ends up the better player long term
Agreed but only because Harper is a douchebag and they always seem to be around much longer than the “good guys”
March 4th, 2013 at 2:48 PM
//already resigned to a last place boston finish
March 4th, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Not while Trout is playing in(or close to) LA.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:50 PM
Trout also 10x more likely to be involved with PEDs.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:52 PM
The East is more open than you’d think…
They are going to beat the snot out of each other in the division. A wild card isn’t coming from that division especially with Houston in the AL West. 90 wins probably gets the division this year. It going to be tough playing the West teams except Houston and the Central will not have too many cupcakes with the Royals finally showing some pitching to go with all that young talent.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:52 PM
9% body fat.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Zero chance in hell.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:53 PM
is in his chin…agreed.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:53 PM
Trout isn’t going to make more endorsement money than McCutchen let alone Harper. Harper is going to be the face of the league.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:58 PM
I’m not even sure they are that good. It is the most even division, with the best ‘bad’ teams, but I’m not sure any of them is in the top few in the league. We’ll see… I just know I’m excited for the Red Sox future, if not the mediocre present.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:58 PM
West coast lacks marketing sizzle, especially in baseball.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:59 PM
And I’m looking forward to it, honestly.
March 4th, 2013 at 2:59 PM
not only that, his name is MIKE TROUT. that’s almost as un-marketable a name as debashish bhattacharya.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Angelos was smart enough to insure it. Basically the O’s paid for 1 year of it, then Lloyd’s of London (or whoever insured it) paid the next 9.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:01 PM
God Shammgod
March 4th, 2013 at 3:02 PM
It would be much better if his name was MIKE HAWK.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Albert Belle caused the financial industry’s collapse is what I read there.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Spencer Dick, too.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Albert Belle’s Orioles contract was bad.
actually he busted his hip and they got a lot of that on insurance IIRC.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:04 PM
you know, hernia, i was going to say ‘spencer dick’ but then i said it out loud…that name can be marketed somewhere, like as a lube spokesman or the name of an infomercial host. mike trout? that rolls off the tongue with the grace of a tranquilized bear falling from a tree.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:05 PM
he make a killing selling prayer rugs.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:06 PM
True, lube has far better marketing opportunities than fish-related companies.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:07 PM
gorton’s got that harsh-sounding fish-company brand name on lockdown yo.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:08 PM
you know, hernia, i was going to say ‘spencer dick’ but then i said it out loud…that name can be marketed somewhere
gay porn star
March 4th, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Trust the Gorton’s fisterman.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:10 PM
He could make big bucks in a crossover promo if he’d change his name to Wow Shamwow.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Nobody wants to watch baseball at 9 a.m.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:15 PM
There are plenty of companies that cater to the angry frat boy crowd, so I think Bryce will get his endorement money.
As bad as Trout is a last name, Bryce is an equally terrible first name.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:15 PM
West coast lacks marketing sizzle, especially in baseball
No one knew Griffey JR until he became a Red.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:16 PM
I worked with a guy named Michael Hunt. He specifically asked to be called Michael.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:18 PM
No one knew Griffey JR until he became a Red.
amazing how he turned into a whiny aging cripple after he left Seattle.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:18 PM
who?
March 4th, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Link?
March 4th, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Already has a deal with Under Armour – which yeah, bingo on that catering – and given the location of the company I would imagine they will be keeping him sweet for quite a while.
Only thing that might hurt him is he won’t be endorsing any booze.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Pujols didn’t make more than $1M until his 4th year (and 114 homeruns, and 3 Top 5 MVP votes).
I don’t get why this is suddenly a thing. Kid’s good and all, but damn.
March 4th, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Which west coast diet burned you this time?
March 4th, 2013 at 3:48 PM
I celebrate the guy’s entire catalog. But anyway, let’s get down to business, Michael!
You know, you can just call me Mike.
March 4th, 2013 at 4:30 PM
This is all going to work out just fine when he signs a 10 year $300 million contract at the age of 32 and is league average or retired for the last 6 years of it.
March 4th, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Also, isn’t paying someone an ungodly sum of money for one season of performance the reason 7-8 of those “horrible” contracts exist?
March 4th, 2013 at 5:26 PM
Stop whining you little bitch… no one made you sign the contract. No one put a monkey’s head in your bed while you were sleeping.