Mike Trout’s extension proves Phillies wise to sign Bryce Harper when they did

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has agreed to a record extension, ending any hopes of him ending up with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Just like that, and the dream is over. Any hope of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout one day landing with the Philadelphia Phillies are now dead, as arguably the best player in baseball has signed a record 12-year, $430 million extension with the Angels.

Ever since Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, fans dreamt of days where Harper and Trout would roam the outfield together at Citizens Bank Park. Barring a trade late in his career, the possibility of that is naught.

Trout’s deal has no impact on the Phillies this year, or next year. The Phillies are still a World Series contender without Trout and if all goes well, then they will be for a very long time. Getting Trout always seemed like a pipe dream, but it felt like that dream would have at least stayed alive through the 2019 and 2020 seasons without a new deal in place.

Unfortunately, there will be no more dreaming, and Phillies fans can stop worrying about the possibility of getting Trout, as the main focus for the team can now be on the 2019 season.

Before Harper signed with the Phillies and fans grew tired of waiting, many began to say pass on Harper and wait for the likes of Trout and Nolan Arenado to hit free agency. Since neither of these two players will be hitting the open market anytime soon, this shows Philadelphia made out great signing Harper when they did.

This alone is why you don’t wait for something that isn’t guaranteed, especially when it comes to professional sports. This is why you don’t pass on one of the best players in his prime and hope that another hits free agency down the road. This is why you go all out on Harper, and thankfully the Phillies did.

So to everyone who was questioning why the Phillies just didn’t wait on Trout or Arenado, the answer is because teams are going to try and lock up generational talents. Guys like Harper hitting free agency are so rare, and it was an opportunity the Phillies had to jump on, so thank goodness they signed him when they did.

If the Phillies did not get Harper, they would still have a very good team. But imagine if they passed on Harper and there would now be no chance of landing any of those other guys they would have been waiting on.

Imagine how Philadelphia fans would have reacted to news like this, because it certainly wouldn’t have gone over well.

As much as it may hurt to hear to some, Trout will never be a member of the Phillies, but at least Harper is and will be for a very long time. Thankfully, John Middleton didn’t listen to those saying wait on Trout, because look where that would have gotten the Phillies, absolutely nowhere.