Bryce Harper finally signed with the Phillies in late February after a drawn-out free agency and quickly began recruiting Mike Trout.

But the one star outfielder’s long winter, along with a similar wait for Manny Machado, helped make sure another would never be a free agent himself.

“I kind of saw what Bryce and Manny went through and it drew a red flag for me,” Trout told reporters Sunday, via The Athletic, as his 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels was formally announced. “I talked to Manny and Bryce. It was a tough couple months in the offseason. They put it in perspective in my mind. I obviously want to be an Angel for life. That was a big key.”

Trout had made it clear earlier in spring training that he wanted to get a deal done before Opening Day, according to The Athletic, or else he would not sign an extension and in two years would explore free agency.

That set in motion negotiations for the contract that will keep him an Angel for life, despite plenty of speculation he would one day end up with the Phillies or Yankees back on the East Coast, where he grew up, in Millville N.J.

“I think if I waited two years, it wouldn’t have felt right moving to another team, going straight to a winning team,” Trout said. “Teams go through ups and downs. I want to be a part of everything. Obviously, I want to win.

“If I did leave, looking back I’d have some regret.”

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