Mike Trout has set a new sports record signing a contract extension with his current team the Los Angeles Angels for 12 years and 430 million dollars. (Per Sports Centers Jeff Passan).

Trout is the star center fielder of the team and arguably the best play in the MLB, drafted 25th overall by his current team in 2009. Since breaking in to the major leagues in 2011 Trout has had 7 all star game appearances, back to back All Star game MVPs (2014-2015), 2 MVP  awards (2014-2016) finished in second place 4 times, Rookie of the Year award in 2012 , and 6 Silver Slugger awards (2012-2016 and 2018).

Earlier this month The Ledger ran a story on Bryce Harper’s mega deal with the Phillies, calling it the largest contract in history at the time. But that has been beat out now by a player who is the most deserving for a contract like this.

Trout’s statistics back the actions of the Angels move to keep him in LA for the far future he has a career batting average of .307, an On Base Percentage of .416, a Slugging Percentage of .573 and 240 career Home Runs. (All stats and awards per BaseballRefrence.com).

Last season Trout batted .312, which is the 4th highest of his career, and he had 39 Home Runs on 124 Strikeouts. Needless to say he had a monstrous season. Last season the big story behind him was that his WAR average (Wins Above Replacement) was 9.2. WAR calculates the amount that a player contributes to his team. Trout’s WAR was compared to Babe Ruth this season. That’s how good he is.

This contract is a move LA had to make.  They need to bring the postseason the their city, and in the next 12 years they plan on doing so.