Over the winter, Yankees president Randy Levine made a comment about Angels outfielder Mike Trout to explain why the Yankees didn’t offer second baseman Robinson Cano — now a Mariner — a ten-year deal. Levine said, “If Mike Trout was here, I would recommend a 10-year contract. But for people over 30, I don’t believe it makes sense. I don’t think Hal [Steinbrenner] thinks it makes sense. We were very clear about that.”
Trout, at the time, was still negotiating a contract extension with the Angels. He would agree to a six-year, $144.5 million extension with the Angels at the end of March. In the meantime, Major League Baseball investigated Levine for his comment, as it could be considered tampering. Club officials aren’t allowed to discuss players under contract for other teams as they could influence, positively or negatively, that player’s marketability.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that commissioner Bud Selig is considering fining Levine for his comment. The amount of the potential fine has not been disclosed.