By WFAN.com
Should Mike Trout's 12-year, $432 million contract end any talk about collusion over salaries in baseball?
That was a topic of discussion on Wednesday's "Boomer and Gio" show. Gregg Giannotti noted that four of the five biggest contracts in baseball history have been signed over the past month: Trout's with the Angels, Bryce Harper's with the Phillies (13 years, $330 million), Manny Machado's with the Padres (10 years, $300 million) and Nolan Arenado's with the Rockies (eight years, $260 million).
"You think about those four contracts that have been handed out in that timespan," Giannotti said. "Does the Players' Association say, 'Oh yeah, sorry, we were just kidding about that collusion thing?'"
Boomer Esiason responded by saying: "It's hard to argue collusion -- that's right -- when you look at these four deals. The problem is the rank-and-file. That's where the problem lies, a problem like, say, Jacob deGrom."
As for Trout's contract, Esiason said, even despite the record numbers, some people believe the Angels got a good deal. He pointed out that Fangraphs estimated that Trout's market value last season was actually around $79 million.
Esiason also said that Harper's public courting of Trout may have spurred Tuesday's megadeal.
"I think Bryce Harper helped him," Esiason said. "He certainly helped him. He shined a light right on him, and Mike Trout was basically given an offer that -- I don't know how anybody could turn it down."
To listen to the show open, click on the audio player above.
