The Angels are completing their eighth consecutive losing season, and might lose one of the game’s iconic players in Shohei Ohtani to free agency. Ohtani’s potential departure adds extra sting to this latest disappointing year in Anaheim, and it has led to some questions regarding the club’s other icon in Mike Trout. The outfielder said in early September that he was planning to speak with upper management after the season about “the direction of everything and what the plan is,” and Trout shed some more light on those post-season discussions when speaking with reporters today, describing them as routine.
“I go through this every year,” Trout told the Los Angeles Times’ Sarah Valenzuela and other reporters. “There’s private conversations I have with Arte [Angels owner Arte Moreno] and John [team president John Carpino]. And like I said, I’m doing the same thing I did the last, what, 13 years? Going into the offseason, clearing my mind and getting ready for spring and wearing an Angels uniform in spring.”
Specifically noting his Spring Training plans seemed to be Trout’s way of downplaying talk that he could request a trade. The Angels’ lack of success has led to plenty of speculative trade buzz around Trout for the last several years, and yet there has never been any indication that the club is open to moving the outfielder, or that Trout himself would welcome or seek out a deal. Trout has some control over his fate via the full no-trade clause included in the ten-year, $360MM extension he signed with Los Angeles in March 2019, so the Halos wouldn’t be able to deal him without his permission.
“I got seven years left on the contract. I know there’s a lot of speculation out there….Nothing’s changed,” Trout said.
Beyond the Angels’ losing records, the last few seasons have been doubly challenging for Trout from a health perspective. A series of separate injuries have limited Trout’s playing time to some extent in each of the last seven seasons, though since Opening Day 2021, he has played in only 237 of a possible 486 games. A nagging calf strain cost Trout most of the 2021 campaign, he played in just 119 games in 2022 due to back problems, and a hamate bone surgery limited Trout’s 2023 tally to 82 games, and only one appearance after July 3.
“It’s tough. It’s been hard on me….I just want to be out there and injuries suck,” Trout said today. “All the hard work and stuff and just freak stuff happens. But [I’m] trying to stay positive.”
“Coming into this season, I think the biggest thing was trying to be healthy and that was my goal. Went into the offseason with a plan, hired a lot of people to work on my body. My body felt great and a freak thing happened. Broke my hand. Came back probably sooner than I should have, but I wanted to be out there with the guys.”
With a .283/.382/579 slash line and 66 homers in 1007 plate appearances from 2021-23, Trout is still clearly one of the game’s best players when he has been able to stay on the field, which only adds to the frustration for Trout himself, the fanbase, and everyone in the Angels organization. Over six seasons with both Ohtani and Trout as teammates, there hasn’t been very much time when both players have been healthy and in top form. Of course, even if Trout and Ohtani had been firing on all cylinders, it is fair to wonder if that still would’ve been enough to get the Angels into contention given the consistent issues throughout the rest of the roster.
The Angels are expected to bid on Ohtani to some extent this winter, though it remains to be seen if Ohtani will leave for a larger offer and/or simply a team that can offer a better chance to win. Should he indeed leave, it remains to be seen if the Halos would consider a rebuild for the first time in Moreno’s two decades as owner, or if Moreno would order the front office to reload for another shot at contending in 2024.
Moving Trout would only seem like a reality if Los Angeles will attempt a full teardown, and such a deal would be tricky to manage even beyond Trout’s no-trade clause. On the one hand, there would undoubtedly be interest in a superstar like Trout, and some teams might feel their training staffs might be better equipped to help him stay healthy. On the other, Trout also turned 32 last month, is owed $248.45MM over the next seven years, and is coming off three injury-plagued years — these factors are red flags for possible trade partners, and obstacles for the Angels in finding proper value back.
It’s time for both parties to move on. No harm, no foul, just move forward for both the org and the player.
The ball is in Trout’s court with a no-trade clause. Then is the matter of how much the contract the Angels will eat and the blowback from fans for trading a franchise icon. I’m also not sure Anthony Rendon is the right guy to lead their offense based on how he’s been handling his injuries, fans, and the media.
Your absolutely right. Imo the Angels are handcuffed with Trout. Do you trade him while there’s still some value but in doing that your telling your fan base that you don’t have intentions of contending which Moreno doesn’t seem to wanna do. The blow back would be fierce because then not only would they lose Othani unless by some miracle he re-signs they would be trading Trout as well. Would probably be the smartest thing to do. But you are 100% right Rendon hasn’t been the best representative of the Angels on or off the field. This is such a mess and they have no clue what to do. Two generational talents and in there prime and nothing to show but draft compensation most likely.
Fogettabout it!
If you are referring to Ohtani, then yes, absolutely. If you are referring to Trout, that contract isn’t going anywhere
Not going to happen
Trout loses his 10-5 rights if he moves on. He has more power if he stays with the Angels.
That’s irrelevant, he has a no-trade clause.
hiflew,
Most players with the 10/5 clause only agree to the trade if the contracts is rewitten to include the 10/5 with their new team.
A couple moves could put the Angels in the playoffs next year. It isn’t likely, but still, it’s possible. Every year they seem a couple moves away.
Totally agree. The only post-2024 contracts are Trout, Rendon and Tyler Anderson. They have a young core up from the minor league system and a perennial top 10 payroll. My money is Arte will reload this winter.
I also agree,
The Angels look good on the infield next year , catcher is set, 1b looks to be good, 2b is set, SS is set, 3b has options, then you have Rengifo and Fletcher as utlilty
The outfield is not bad with Trout, Ward, Walsh, Adell, Moniak, Rengifo
Add some arms and their is some hope for 2024
On paper there is hope but the pitching is still thin. The only other real question is who will manage? Phil Nevin was retained on a one year lame duck contract under the idea that Arte was going to sell and the new owner would be free to hire a new Manager. That’s no longer the case and Nevin’s contract is set to expire at seasons end
IMO…unless the Angels made a deep playoff run Nevin was never going to manage in 2024
My hope is that the Brewers let Counsell go. He seems to communicate well with both the players and the front offices. If the Angels can land him, That could make a bit of a difference as well.
“A couple moves could put the Angels in the playoffs next year.”
I respectfully disagree. It will take new ownership that actually prioritizes winning and then years of rebuilding to turn things around.
Did you read my next sentence or are you just taking it out of context? “It isn’t likely, but it is a possibility.” Read, man.
“It isn’t likely but it is a possibility”
I disagree. This team is a dysfuntional mess and that works for Mereno because he is still raking in the money. The only thing that is going to turn things around is new ownership and years of restructuring things with a priority on wining.
It’s also a “possibility” that the A’s will make the playoffs next season. It can be said about any team. So, leading your post with “A couple of moves could put the Angels in the playoffs next year” is just wishful thinking and kind of pointless.
Who’s going to sign up to pay trout the rest of that contract AND give some sort of compensation for him ? Padres may have been an option for that but now they are broke. Trout will follow the steps of pujols. Filthy rich and stuck on angels roster.
There’s so much misdirected interest in a desire to see Trout with a ring. This guy continues to make his bed, while being one of the wealthiest to ever play the game, already a 1st ballot HoF without a ring, and Octobers free to travel or hunt, and pursue his real interests. I’m sure he could have gotten out of LAA before, and still probably could, if he wanted to, but he continues to have to publicly confirm his decision to ease other’s desire to see him win apart from the Angels. Leave him be.
You always want to see the best players on the biggest stage. Kevin Griffey Jr. never got to play in the world series but we all would have loved to see it. Maybe it’s the feeling of something being missing from an otherwise great career?
Oh yes, the immortal Kevin Griffey Jr. I always wondered who The Kid would be once he grew up without baseball and became an accountant or an insurance salesman.
There’s not another team that will allow Trout to in-game manage the way the Angels do. Literally watched him tell his manager what he wanted done on several occasions.
What he said does not mean that he won’t ask for a trade. I think he was emotional because it is likely he won’t be back.. He will wait until he sees what happens with Ohtani. The team actually has a a lot of young talent, but they need at least three frontline pitchers. Canning, Detmers and Sandoval are 4s and 5s. They are NOT frontline pitchers. Stud pitchers don’t throw 90 pitches in 4 innings. Until this team develops and signs big arms the results will be the same.
@carl Ohtani probably isn’t going to sign until after the next Winter Meetings and into the new year. Trout has no control over what happens with Ohtani so he needs to make his own decision if he were to request for a trade. Trout is asked by reporters every year what his thoughts are after the Angels fail to make playoffs. Then they ask if he wants to stay with the Angels. His answers are always the same.
There’s a new bat with a tapered handle that would have prevented this injury. He should try one
He did, he hated it.
Love how people reply like they know Trout has tried and hates a certain bat. MLB players do not come out and alienate brands or manufacturers. They are smart enough to keep the door open for future revenue, IE endorsements.
I think you are referring to “the Axe” bat. Mookie Betts, among others, uses it. The bat itself has been used on the college level for about 10 years, about 7 or 8 at the MLB level.
The jury is out for me as to whether it would have prevented the injury. But I am not a doctor, so it is just my opinion.
But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once or twice. Ba da bump
Mike trout so far has wasted one of the best baseball careers with a team that’s given him 3 playoff games.
Can’t fault him for giving them a shot to make things work, but at this point If he’s not fighting to get off that bus, then it says a bit about him.
Completely agree
DLC
That’s he’s loyal?
That he is one of those people that thinks playing for one team your whole career is cool?
That he loves living near LA half the year?
That he thinks he looks good in Red?
Seems like it could say A LOT of things about him. Which actually means it says NOTHING about him
I think one of the things that makes the great ones truly great is that they are aware of their legacy in the midst of their career.
Nothing wrong with loyalty or living in a desirable location, but careers are short, he’s already passed his prime and he’s literally never had ‘a moment’, closest thing was the WBC. He’s already rich, no one is going to question his character or loyalty for leaving the Angels now, he gave them way more than they deserve.
but he should think about being remembered for some playoff moments or a championship as opposed to the battle with Ken Griffey on the best player to never win
RE: Dsbc
Always hilarious to see someone who’s like a GM at Chili’s (or whatever) saying that a professional athlete needs to worry about their legacy
Worry about your own legacy
Mike Trout needs to do exactly one thing, whatever the F Mike Trout wants.
Lol okay man. It’s a comment boards full of opinions, just because you don’t have any of your own doesn’t mean we need to hear you.
Trout has a loser mentality, reading some of your comments I’m not surprised you disagree. In the same way you’re telling me to worry about myself, I can say the exact same thing to you. But I won’t because I really don’t care about your opinion
Dsbc
Muted
This person seems unlikely to ever post anything that will benefit me to read
Yes. Him. Ted Williams. Ernie Banks. Ron Santo, Ferggie Jenkins, Billie Williams All losers. And a few dozen other hall of farmers.
I was literally getting ready to say the same exact thing.. so many fantastic players (some of the best to ever play) never won a World Series or maybe in a 20 year career only made it there 1 time. Some people pretend like they know about baseball, but it’s the complete opposite
Loser mentality?
Let’s be honest here; what does your mother think about you. Let’s see what Trouts mother thinks about him. What have you provided besides bringing profession mooching to the table
Dusty, let me help you out. This is “Baseball”, A players legacy in baseball is not defined by Championships. Enough said, no need to go deep into this, just simple facts.
Gotta be honest.. Trout gets injured so much, I don’t think he would have actually played in many more playoff games even if the angels played more than 3. Dude hasn’t played a full season in a while
A fool. Absolutely wasting his career and talents with that organization.
He’s not a fool…although you might be.
He lives in an area he and his wife love. He’s happy with the organi-
zation and fans. He’s not the normal scumbag that so many MLB players are that say they love playing in one city, then demand a trade.
Look at the players that walked out on their fans to sign with the Padres and Mets last year. How’ed that work out for them? That
crap happens every year.
One other thing – were he to demand a trade with his high salary, there are a limited amount of contending teams that would even want him. That’s a lot of money owed for a guy that hasn’t played anywhere near a full season in years. Heck, Stanton did more for the Yankees this year than Trout did for the Angels – check out the Yankee blogs that complain about him every day.
He is a millionaire many times over and is likely already going to the Hall of Fame. How exactly is he wasting his career or talents?
Trout is comfortable losing. It’s obvious.
That is his choice, not yours. You don’t have to like it. You don’t have to agree with it. But at the end of the day it’s his choice.
The Angels might have to pay down some of Trout’s salary to maximize their return if they do trade him.
Tell me you don’t want to play in the playoffs again without telling me….well,you know.
Absolute clown. Settled for money,great weather,great place to live,zero pressure to play baseball 100 times a year. I wonder if he knows he can live here after he retires if he played somewhere else. If I’m the Angels I’d now make it ugly. He’s never going to ask for a trade,so I would berate him on his health and leadership skills. Make him want out. You are going to get 2-3 prospects either way.
Why would eh Angels want to lose him?
Players are human beings. Not some packet you get on the Internet from your Rotisserie League.
The suggestion for the Angels to berate one of their best players ever to wear their uniform may be the worst take I’ve ever read on this board. And that’s saying a lot.
Nukeg
This
Hot taek culture has ruined people’s brains
What a bizarre take. Why would you want to pressure Trout to leave? You seem upset.
“Berate him on his health” with regards to Mike F’ing Trout is, without a doubt, the dumbest idea I have seen here yet.
Hat tip to you, keyboard GM.
I doubt teams are going to beat down the door to pay him 37 million per year for the next 7 seasons. He’s in decline, he hasn’t played 140 games in a season since 2018, and he has a degenerative condition with his back even if he denies its degenerative.
I think the Angels are married to him until he’s in buyout territory.
TSE
Good thing teams don’t have to pay him $37 million per year to acquire him
They could. Or they could pay him literally nothing. Or anything in between.
This is true, however, the injury factor blurs the value he has left. Also, he’s aging and showing a decline as well.
The question is it his age causing the decline or injuries? Probably both. The next question is how much are the Angels willing to take on to trade him? Well…it would take a lot no matter what. Next, what is he worth to the team trading for him? That’s complicated as well.
This is how I personally see it. Trout is probably 95% committed to the Angels. He knew when he signed that contract he would be nearly immovable.
I think what’s being said behind closed doors is that he’s willing to accept a trade if one could be made. The Angels are probably trying everything they can to get out from underneath the contract and it will be their primary objective this off-season
Finding a trade partner is where all of this fizzles in my opinion. Almost every team is going to ask the Angels to absorb an unprecedented amount of money. $100 million might be a starting point. I don’t see the Angels doing that.
If the conversations are usually private, then why did he announce it to a reporter on the record? He leaked his story that he’s now downplaying.
And he did stammer/cleared his throat before he said “Angel uniform”. Now if this was Seinfeld that would’ve indicated he doesn’t want be in an Angel uniform. Maybe they informed him they have no intention of taking on any of his salary in a trade.
You read all that into his using one word?
Look under the floorboards of your house. Aliens are coming for you!
Kenny Bania below ladies and gentlemen! Always riding someone else’s coattails.
What’s he supposed to say?? seriously…
I believe he’s telling the truth for himself and and the circumstances of the team. The Angels are in no place to pay the amount of money for another team to take on the injury risk he brings. He’s in no place to do anything other than prove he can stay in the lineup 140 games a season, which is highly unlikely.
Dude is soft af. Doesn’t care about winning and plays maybe 60 games a season. What a waste of a career
M2208
Dude has made over $300 million dollars and is a sure fire ball of famer
Trying to have a hot taek claims another brain
Mike Trout is *obligated to play for the angels in 2024
I don’t know how many teams would want to take on that contract at age 32. He’s (for a few more years I think) still a productive player, but he’s only hit 140 games played once in the last seven season.
With the reality that it’s highly doubtful they find a team that would take on most of the contract AND get pack a good prospect package combined with Ohtani likely walking this offseason, I’m not sure the Angels would want to move their only gate attraction.
Non-Angels fans bagging on Trout makes me laugh. Everyone of you would be ecstatic if Trout was traded to your team. Anyone criticizing Trout’s character has not followed his career. Trout is known by everyone paying attention as having integrity and an unparalleled work ethic.
Negative. I work in Anaheim with Angels fans and they all want to trade Trout and rebuild the team, just like most baseball fans suggest. We logically (not emotionally) look at the situation with the Angels’ realistic window of competing in 2 years at best. Highly competitive division, poor farm system. Enough to be better than the Astros, Mariners and Rangers? In 2 years Trout is 34. Take a page from the Orioles, Reds and Pirates. I would not be thrilled for Trout to be on my favorite team. The descent is here and it’s sad but true.
14 – So you work with a half dozen or so Angels fans and you think that’s an accurate cross section of their fanbase to extrapolate across the entire fanbase. Ok.
More importantly, your comment has nothing to do with mine so not sure where you were going with it. My comment was regarding non-Angels fans bagging on Trout’s character, which is laughable. By all reports, Trout is a good man on the field and off.
As far as Trout being traded, if I were Trout I would probably have that discussion with Moreno at this point, if he hasn’t already. Trout wants to win and he doesn’t have enough years left in his career to wait out an Angels’ rebuild. He’s already been paid. Now he needs to be on a winner. I don’t think the Angels are close, especially if they keep the same old strategy they’ve employed for 20 years.
I bet he talk at these Angel fans and not with them.
I walk him to never wear another uniform.
I bet you’re right Halo.
I would like nothing more than for Trout to remain an Angel, which I think will be the case. But what a waste of talent if Moreno doesn’t finally build a winner around him.
Amen
I have covid, what I wrote was barely English. Thanks for understanding the point.
I’ll pray for your complete healing in Jesus’ name. Get better amigo.
Thanks. I’m glad I finally got it. For the most part, It’s the flu.
I’ve had three Covid shots.
Get well soon Halo11Fan
Oh man, Covid is back in a big way.
Take care Halo
My wife has been down for 3 weeks.
Former aerobics instructor.
Excellent shape.
Almost died, past that i think but still can’t shake it.
H1N1 almost killed me in 2009.
Gasping for air not the way i want to die.
My wife and i had 2 shots.
I’ve dodged this bullet. Pure luck.
She lost sense of smell, taste, breathing became a chore. Lay on your chest if breathing problems, it helps.
I wish you the best as well MC
Maybe someday we can race to the top of the Big A. It may take us an hour, but we can enjoy the view.
Thanks 72. I’ve been told due to my lung damage from H1N1 I will not survive Covid.
So if I disappear….
Keep fighting the Angels jealousy AngelsFan1972 and Halo faithful!
Sounds like you’ve been around the big A as long as i have…like when it used to be the scoreboard in left field.
We survived the 70s, we’ll survive this.
Or were those 80s expectations and unbelievable collapses worse?
Not being able to catch your breath is weird. My wife and I are up and around, but slow. I don’t think this variant is all that bad, but it’s not fun.
And H1N1 Oh my god!!! Stay safe. Ouch.
I am a baseball and Angels fan through and through.
I wouldn’t trade the down trodden days for anything, It made me appreciate the game and the Angel players a lot more. Many people accuse me of being overly kind/ optimistic, but I refuse to bash players and front office people who work hard at what they do. No one can tell me they aren’t trying.
The Angels have been manure the entire time he’s been there and he’s always repeated his desire to spend his entire career with just one team. Why do you guys think this would suddenly change? Again, the Angels being manure isn’t a new development.
I can only think of a few reasons for all this loathing. Is it because you’re jealous of the angels for having trout instead of your team? Or jealous of his talent? Or just a negative individual in general? This guy is a class act, is a HoFer and has been in the league 10+ years. He deserves to spend his career how he sees fit.
Two thumbs up!
So Mike Trout and I will have the same amount of PA in the 2024 MLB playoffs.
Chet, you’ll likely have more.
The Angels are edging Mike Trout, at the point of coming but never finishing. That’s what it’s felt like for 13 years. Either trade him and Ohtani and get 2 Soto type deals and rebuild or draft and develop talent to put around them. Instead you get this half ass, half baked product out there that’s just heart breaking to watch. That’s like having Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman on the A’s.
Ohtani is a free agent they sold the farm for 2 months of rental players that they all waived after 1 months and a 4th place finish.
Even when the team doesn’t want you to?
Trout will not win a World Series in Anaheim, plain and simple!
It is never plain, it is never simple.
There is always a chance to turn it around!
People that say “never” are fools or trolls. Shoot, who’s to say Trout doesn’t win a chip in 5 years, when he’s probably a roll player and not a star, kind of like Salmon. Stranger things have happened.
When I see the word “Intends” I interpret that as he wants the hell out but he’s going to be nice about it but he will be on another team next season. I’m predicting the Phillies if the get bounced in the WC or divisional round. The Cubs of the Phillies make it to the NLCS/world series.Because I just feel that the Phillies will be more desperate if they have an early exit. A lot of people say the Yankees but IMO the Yanks are going to go after starting pitching more than Trout.
I’ve got news for you, Mike Trout isn’t going anywhere.
Yes he is lol
To Arizona, Tempe to be exact
Im an Angels fan and love Trout, but the operative word in the article’s title is “play” as opposed to “sit” which Trout has largely done the past three years… and a case can be made that he has largely sat six of the past seven seasons.
If the Angels are to have success in 2024 or beyond, among other things, Perry needs to continue building a deep 40-man roster and Trout needs to play 140+ games with an OPS approaching .900.
Here’s my take on Mike Trout wanting to stay with the Angels. He has the stats for the Hall of Fame, he will get to the Hall of Fame, good for him. However, I view him this way, he is not a true winner because winning isn’t an important factor to him. In my opinion, I will go as far as saying he is a low-quality competitor. If he were a true competitor he would want to move on to a team that could possibly give him a WS Ring, but obviously, that isn’t important to him. I respect Shohei Ohtani far more because he is a competitor, he wants to win, and his desire is to win. And now at this point in Trout’s career, he is having problems staying healthy. Please don’t bash me for my take/opinion as that is all it is, an opinion.
Completely agree, Proud. Well said. We’re not supposed to criticize the golden goose, but I question Trout’s compete level.
Proud
Trout is a single player, one man on a roster of 26, the onus of winning does not rest on Trout’s shoulders alone. I don’t know if it is fair to say he is not a true winner. His teams have not won, that can’t be completely on him. Look at the years in which Trout was truly great. Did the team lose because he played so well?
Everything I have heard and read about Trout indicates he is one of the hardest working players out there. So I don’t see how he how he can be a low-quality competitor either. I think it is admirable that he wants to remain an Angel. Who knows, maybe the Angels turn it around and win. Think of Trout;s legacy if that happens.
I completely understand your frustration with the Angels and Mike Trout;s injury history over the last few seasons, and it is obvious your opinion comes from a good place. Keep offering up your thoughts.
And….thank you for your service.
You miss my point. If he is such a competitor why hasn’t he requested a trade? As far as I am concerned winning isn’t a priority to him.
Was there not a lot of optimism at the beginning of 2023 about a possible play-off run? Even until the 2nd week of August there was a glimmer of hope. So, now that the train has come off the tracks , Trout is expected to demand a trade? I don’t see that from a franchise player like Trout. The Angels showed Trout a great bit of loyalty by rewarding him with that massive contract, why shouldn’t he reciprocate that same loyalty back?
Secondly, it isn’t like the Angels have given up. Their payroll is always upper tier compared the rest of the league. I would be willing to bet Trout is consulted on many player personnel decisions, much like most start players nowadays.
See Red Sox, Mookie Betts for reference.
Why would the Angels trade Mike?
They’ll get zero difference making talent back.
It is a lose/lose situation
The Angels would have to pay down the contract in order to get any assemblance of a return on investment.
Trout would take a public hit for demanding a trade as well. IMO, Trout is a rare breed now a days, who values public perception. I have no problem with that.
They should DH him and give some time at 1B. I understand he’s still talented in CF but he’s far too valuable in the lineup.
With seven years remaining on his very expensive contract, whoever opts to try to acquire Trout ain’t gonna get the vintage Trout for more than a year or two. And that’s assuming he can stay on the field.
But the Angels would be wise to trade Trout and let Otani walk. A complete rebuild is in order. Might even get a decent prospect for Trout if Moreno eats a huge chunk of money.
Angels should offer Otani a QO. He’ll assuredly reject it and that’ll give the team a nice draft pick.
Whatever happens in Angel Land, gonna be a long time before they are talking, “Playoffs”!
The problem is that the Angels cannot trade Trout unless he agrees as he has a full no-trade clause.
The idea that either Trout or the Angels have real options or control is silly. Trout can stick with the team for 7 years of decline or accept a trade to a better team. The Angels can keep him and decline or dump him and buy prospects with the $$$. It’s dishonest to puf lipstick on this pig. Most honesty in the past could have yielded a different result.
He’s still one of the best in the game on a per game basis even down signifgantly from peak, he still has MVP potential, just not likely to stay healthy enough. I think someone would just take his contract on, if that were an option despite the cost and his injury history. If the Angels pay significant money the would get a huge haul. I wouldn’t project more than 350-400 PA a year at this point but still think someone out there would take him as is if offered.
Are they even in the mood to rebuild? If the Mets and Padres or possibly some other big money team qre looking to unload contracts and also willing to eat some money, that could dilute the potential return for Trout. The Angels may end up doubling down on next year and try to win. I wouldnt be shocked if they made a hard run at keeping Ohtani too. I think the rebuild is inevitable and could see them diving head first into one this offseason, but a very Angels thing would be to keep trying to win even at the point other teams would likely rebuild.
Its a team I could see actually being good short term but feels like a slippery slope to years of mediocracy if they don’t start rebuilding soon. If they go Full Mets/Padres and just try spending their way out of it, could actually have a good team in the short term, but likey would still be rebuilding sooner than later.
Yanks should trade for Trout, give up Andujar, Delvi and Florial!
Mike Trout’s commitment to Angels is tremendous, but c’mon! It would be great to see a player of this caliber get into the postseason every year!
All this talk about Trout, and the same goes for Ohtani, not making the postseason? What’s the chances either one of them will be healthy enough to make it that far?
So according to this Trout gets $35m for 7 more years. It says the Angels would have to eat at least $15m a year to get no terrible prospects back. For $20m he’d look good in left field for the Braves. The health is the issue.
archive.ph/HvFkV