GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Earlier this week, Mike Trout shocked the baseball world when he agreed to a record-breaking 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels.
But while many marveled at Trout's new deal, which tops Bryce Harper's freshly signed contract with the Philadelphia Phillies (13 years $330 million) for the largest in baseball history, at least one person wasn't blown away by the robustness of the 2-time MVP's extension.
In fact, if anything, Francisco Lindor thought his fellow All-Star could have squeezed a few more pennies out of the Angels.
“It’s awesome. Good job, Trout. Way to go, bro," the Cleveland Indians' shortstop said with a smile. "He deserves every single penny. Maybe more. Maybe he could have got $431 [million].”
There's an obvious subtext to Lindor's reaction.
A 25-year-old 3-time All-Star, Lindor is one of the best young players in baseball. And although he remains under the Indians' contractual control through 2021, his future free agency has already become a subject of conversation -- and consternation -- in Cleveland.
In a world where four $250 million contracts have been given out this offseason alone, it's not crazy to think Lindor could be in line to sign a similar deal. In February, the 2-time Silver Slugger -- who avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $10.55 million salary with the Indians earlier this offseason -- said he wasn't currently interested in signing an extension.
"That's not where we are right now. I was focused on arbitration. That's not where I am," he said. "When it comes to long-term deals, I love the city of Cleveland. I love everything about Cleveland. We'll see. We'll see what happens."
At the time, the two biggest free agents of the offseason -- Harper and shortstop Manny Machado -- each remained unsigned. That only fueled speculation that teams were fighting back against the nine-figure, decade-plus-long deals that have been a part of the sport since the early-2000s.
Some even suggested that it might be best for a player like Lindor to sign for long-term money now rather waiting to hit the open -- and evidently shrinking -- market.
In the time since, however, baseball has gotten back to its big money ways. Between Trout, Harper, Machado and Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (eight years, $260 million), four of the six richest contracts in MLB history have been signed in the last month alone.
"There’s money in this industry," Lindor said. "Maybe [Trout] should have gotten $435 [million]. He did well, he did good. I’m happy for him.”
If this offseason has been any indication, it may not be long until others are saying the same for Lindor.