After this season, Mike Trout will still have six years and $216 million remaining on his 12-year, $426 million deal inked in 2019. Some competitor executives consider the contract an eyesore. His deal extends until his 39th season, and when he signed it, the Los Angeles Angels were in a competitive slump. This resulted in a nine-year losing streak. It’s been ten seasons since their previous postseason appearance and fifteen years since their last postseason victory.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Blum and Andy McCullough, teams would put his baggage aside if they signed Trout.
“Given the age, injury history and financial commitment, one executive said the Angels would have to eat more than half the money just to bring a potential partner to the table,” according to Blum and McCullough. “Asked how difficult it would be to move Trout, another rival executive said, ‘Incredibly’.”
Angels Would Have to Eat Majority of Mike Trout’s Contract in Trade
Beyond the financials, Trout’s contract includes a no-trade clause and he is nothing but loyal. Trout feels that if ownership invests in the Angels, the team will see brighter days.
“A couple of additions in the offseason could make a big difference,” Trout told Blum and McCullough. “It’s entirely up to the owner. I believe that’s where we are now.”
Los Angeles began the season after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency for a 10-year, $700 million contract. The Angels’ record of 63-93, the second-worst in the American League, has been nothing short of disappointing. The team has not made the playoffs since getting swept in the 2014 ALDS.
“It’s been 10 years now since we’ve made the playoffs,” he informed me. “I believe this has something to do with it. I believe fans, like everyone else, want playoff baseball.
Trout Willing to Make Changes for Next Year
Trout’s productivity has been significantly lower in recent seasons. In mid-May 2021, he suffered a calf strain and was unable to return. In 2022, he missed a month due to a back issue. Last year, a broken hamate in early July forced him to miss the second part of the season. Trout took three months to recover from a torn meniscus this season, only to tear it again before playing another major league game. In 29 games this year, Trout blasted 10 home runs but was batting.220, over 80 points behind his career average of.299 All of this contributes to Trout’s increased willingness to make changes for next season.
Trout is reconsidering his entire strategy after yet another unsuccessful season. That’s why leaving center field is an option. Trout stated that he is willing to go off center field and DH more. It has the potential to help Trout regain the batting form he had before 2019.
“When stuff’s not going your way, you’ve got to make adjustments,” Trout told me. “Ultimately, my aim is to be in that batter’s box, on the field, every day. Whether it’s going to a corner or DH-ing more, I’ll have to leave it up to the front office to devise a strategy.”
