I like the price. In 2012, 2013 and 2016, Trout earned it in 4x4. And aside from his injured 2017, he has come reasonably close to $45 in all other seasons. Finally, someday Trout may even find himself playing meaningful games in September. 

I'm working on Big Prices for the Guide. Today I have Mike Trout with a price of $45. What do you think?

Trout became the 1st player to have 3 seasons of a .300+ avg with 30+ HRs and 90 RBIs or less....Bonds is the only player with 2 and ironically Betts did it for the 1st time this year. 

I had Trout this year for a full season for the first time since 2013, when Ron Shandler's negativity allowed me to get him (Trout, not Shandler) for $39 in CBS AL.

I got him in LABR for $42. My accounting shows he earned $38. That's awesome. We all dream on that $50 season from Trout - and no one wants to lose money on a player - but locking in $35 of stats as a baseline is great. You can't feel comfortable that any other player in baseball will do that even though, sure, Betts might. I'm reluctant to bet on that batting average repeating for Betts.

I'd put a $44 bid limit on Trout easily for AL-only.

Consistency is a skill, until it isn't. Trout isn't No. 1 in most years, but he's near the top every year. Nobody else is. That's why he should be the highest paid fantasy player each year. (Okay, there is a case for Mookie this year. You can make it, and I'll admit it's close. But I'll take Trout first, and maybe gift the second pick.)

Eugene's comment about Trout's walks is right on. In BA leagues all that offensive production is not counted. Change to OBP. Give Trout and other Bases on Balls guys respect.

In 2012 he was 1st in the AL in earnings (5x5).  Then he was 2nd in 2013.  Since then he's finished 3rd a bunch of times, 4th once, and 6th once.  Yes, he's the best player and perhaps he has the highest ceiling, but guys like Betts and Altuve earn more when they steal more.  I wouldn't bet on Altuve taking his crown back given his knee injury.  But, I could see Betts and Jose Ramirez both out earning Trout again next year.  Maybe Lindor too.  When I do projections in the spring, I expect one or more of them to be ahead of Trout.  And, my bid limits are my projections. (I know most people disagree with that.)  I'm guessing it's around $36 in 5x5 pre-inflation.

At this point I think his biggest problem is that he walks a lot.  It takes away from his ABs, which lowers the value of his average even when he plays 150+ games.  602 is his most ABs.  That could be 10% lower than other top hitters.  His lineup hurts his Runs and RBI totals.  Other than Upton and Ohtani, the Angels are terrible.

One year he's going to break out and earn $45 if he stays healthy and steals 30+ again.  But, if not he's going to be a sure thing, just not the #1 earner.

I'll bite, having had Trout for two seasons at $44. I think I may go to $47, but I worry that someday he'll stop running. 

He's going to lose out to Betts when the AL MVP is announced to tomorrow, but what about in auctions next year? Who's going to cost more?

What's your bid limit?

Peter is finalizing his prices for the magazine and could use some help from our focus group.

What should the limit for Yelich be?

Player of the Year, yet again, says Baseball America. Defense tipped the scale.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-mlb-player-of-the-year-mike-trout/

Betts puts the hammer DOWN!