Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is going to command big money in the future, but the 22-year-old phenom isn't in any hurry to lock-down a long-term deal with the Angels. However, he revealed on Thursday that he wouldn't mind talking with the team as the season progresses in 2014.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, the center fielder hasn't set a date to negotiate but he doesn't seem worried that on-going talks during the season would provide a distraction to the dynamic things he does on the diamond.
Trout, who finished the 2012 and 2013 seasons in the running for Most Valuable Player of the American League, isn't the type of player to want to nail down a contract before the season or put it off to the end of the season as he doesn't find the on-going talks to be distracting.
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Trout agreed with the Angels to a $1 million extension coming into this season, but is likely to command in the neighborhood of $100 million on a long-term extension.
"It doesn't matter to me," said Trout, according to the Los Angeles Times about when they'll get it done. "Nothing bothers me. I go out there and play, man. I don't worry about any of that stuff."
Trout's camp has been in talks with team owner Arte Moreno and general manager Jerry Dipoto since November, and though nothing has been made official the sides seem confident they can work something out with the young slugger.
If the talks have distracted Trout, he hasn't shown it as he's hit .444 (12-for-27) thus far in spring training and has driven in nine runs.
"I love spring training, but I want to start playing in games that count," Trout told the publication. "I want to be in Anaheim playing. I'm anxious for opening day. I'm excited. I'm ready to go now."
Trout started turning heads in 2012 when he came up in May and hit .326 through 139 games with 30 homers and 83 RBI en route to winning the Rookie of the Year award in the AL. He didn't back down in 2013, when he hit .323 through 157 games with 27 long-balls and 97 RBI.
The Angels will hope that Trout will help them make the postseason for the first time since 2009 this year. If the third-year player's actions in the spring so far speak for themselves, Trout likely won't be distracted with the on-going talks.
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