Alternatively, not every player is focussed on the same version of winning.not every player cares about winning
The anti Tom Brady if you will.Alternatively, not every player is focussed on the same version of winning.
Maybe the best player in the game is more focussed on MVPs and even on winning the biggest contract in the history of sports than on being on a perennial World Series threat.
I am going to use that 'likely' and make sure everyone saw the insane factoid Eno Sarris dug up for his Trout contract piece in The Athletic (worth your money), Trout has compiled more WAR than Harper and Machado COMBINED, that is absurd.Trout is a phenomenal, generational talent without a doubt and likely deserves this more than Harper and Machado.
Alternatively, not every player is focussed on the same version of winning.
Maybe the best player in the game is more focussed on MVPs and even on winning the biggest contract in the history of sports than on being on a perennial World Series threat.
I don’t think it’s fair to call him the anti-Tom Brady but I do think the first point is correct.The anti Tom Brady if you will.
Trout is a phenomenal, generational talent without a doubt and likely deserves this more than Harper and Machado. I certainly can't begrudge the guy getting paid after working his butt off and taking advantage of his talents, whatever his motivation may be. Maybe LAA can build a team around him finally (personally I think they need to decide Ohtani as P or hitter to make this happen). Of course that team better lose to the Sox in the ALDS
Not sure if you were responding to me, but isn’t that just saying that he measures “winning” differently? My point was that “competitive fire” doesn’t always manifest itself in valuing team wins or championships above all else. And I can understand that in baseball even more than other sports.This thread is funny. If Trout signed with the Yankees, there’d be a different hue. Guy is a lowkey dude. He’s married. Maybe he values consistency and relative anonymity.
It always cracks me up when people question the commitment to winning of these superstar athletes. It’s a good thing they were bitten by spiders or stumbled into gamma rays and got so good at sports, otherwise their lack of competitive fire never would’ve allowed them to become great.
No not to anyone here in particular, it just seems like whenever someone doesn’t sign with Boston/NY/LA/Chicago or whatever team is hot people go after their competitive fire. You also have to figure over the course of a 10-12 year contract pretty much every team is going to be good and bad.Not sure if you were responding to me, but isn’t that just saying that he measures “winning” differently? My point was that “competitive fire” doesn’t always manifest itself in valuing team wins or championships above all else. And I can understand that in baseball even more than other sports.
Yup.No not to anyone here in particular, it just seems like whenever someone doesn’t sign with Boston/NY/LA/Chicago or whatever team is hot people go after their competitive fire. You also have to figure over the course of a 10-12 year contract pretty much every time is going to be good and bad.
After his experience in Seattle, I think Robbie Cano would say you were half right.No not to anyone here in particular, it just seems like whenever someone doesn’t sign with Boston/NY/LA/Chicago or whatever team is hot people go after their competitive fire. You also have to figure over the course of a 10-12 year contract pretty much every time is going to be good and bad.
He did just sign for a big hometown discount. Don’t let the fact that he’s getting the biggest contract ever cloud over the fact that based on other recent contracts he’s worth much much more than what he signed for.A more charitable take on Trout's motivation would be that he loves the Angels and wants to help them win a title, and doesn't think signing on with a winner would be as rewarding. Or, at least, he doesn't want to be criticized for being a front runner. I guess he could have taken a big home town discount to stay in LA with the hope they would use the savings to sign other players, but as a fan I have hard time criticizing a guy for staying with the same team he came up with. If he waited and later signed with the Yankees, I doubt we'd be commending him for his competitive fire.
Edit: ha! was writing while Marciano posted.