After this season, Mike Trout still has six years and $216 million left on his 12-year, $426 million extension he signed heading into 2019. The contract is seen as an eyesore by some rival executives. His contract runs through his age-39 season and at the time he signed it, the Los Angeles Angels were in a competitive snooze. That turned into a downward spiral of nine straight years of losing records. Ten seasons since their last postseason berth and fifteen years since their last postseason win.
However, according to The Athletic’s Sam Blum and Andy McCullough, teams would put his baggage aside if they were to acquire 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,” Blum and McCullough wrote. “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, there’s a no-trade clause attached to Trout’s contract and is nothing but loyal. Trout even believes better days are ahead for the Angels, if ownership invests in the team.
“A couple of additions in the offseason could make a big difference,” Trout said to Blum and McCullough. “It’s all up to the owner. I think that’s where we’re at.”
Los Angeles entered the season after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 10-year, $700-million contract in free agency. At 63-93 and owners of the second-worst record in the American League, it’s been nothing but a disappointment for the Angels. The club has not made the postseason since being swept in the 2014 ALDS.
“It’s been 10 years now since we’ve made the playoffs,” he said. “I think that has something to do with it. I think the fans want playoff baseball like everybody else.”
Trout Willing to Make Changes for Next Year
The past few seasons have been far less productive for Trout. In 2021, he suffered a calf strain in mid-May that saw him never return. In 2022, he missed a month with a back injury. Last year, a broken hamate in early July forced him to miss the season’s second half. This season, Trout needed three months to return from a torn meniscus, but tore it again before playing another major league game. In 29 games this year, Trout hit 10 home runs but was batting .220, almost 80 points below his career average of .299 All of this is part of why Trout has become more open to making changes next season.
Another lost season has Trout rethinking everything. That’s why departing center field is an option. Trout said he’s willing to move off center field and DH more. It’s something that could help Trout become the hitter he once was before 2019.
“When stuff’s not going your way, you’ve got to make adjustments,” Trout said. “Ultimately, my goal is to be in that batter’s fox, in the field, every single day. Whether that’s moving to a corner, DH-ing more, that’s just something that I’ll have to leave up to the front office to come up with a plan.”
Main Photo: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
