The Los Angeles Angels should be clear sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 3, but does that mean finally parting ways with CF Mike Trout?
Despite being in a weirdly horrible American League and weak AL West division, the Los Angeles Angels entered the All-Star break 21 games below .500 at 38-59.
It’s obvious that this team needs a reset – a full-on rebuild that involves trading its most valuable players to improve the farm system and get more prospects in the organization; the problem is that the Angels front office and ownership has been extremely against that idea.
Owner Arte Moreno and then-general manager Perry Minasian shared the belief that trading players with good value isn’t a good idea, which is among the reasons why the Angels remain at the bottom of the standings every year and haven’t been to the playoffs since 2014 or won a playoff game since 2009.
However, Minasian was fired at the end of June and replaced by interim GM John Mozeliak, who has a reputation for blowing teams up and bringing in tons of prospects, which is exactly what this franchise needs to do.
And yes, that should include three-time MVP and 12-time All-Star center fielder Mike Trout. Trout is the epitome of a loyal superstar who hasn’t complained once about how the Angels have gone absolutely nowhere in his long tenure with the club.
He has a no-trade clause and hasn’t expressed any desire to leave the organization despite playing just three playoff games in his 16-year career, but a breakup would be healthy for both sides.
While doing media ahead of the Home Run Derby on Monday, Trout was asked about being in Philadelphia for the festivities, just 45 minutes from where he grew up in Millville, N.J.
He was also asked about if he would have any desire to become a Phillie at any point in his career, and Trout gave an intriguing answer regarding his future as an Angel.
“I hear this a lot,” Trout said with a smile. “Like I said, I enjoy coming to Philly. I’m an Angel, obviously. I have a no-trade clause, so it’s ultimately my decision. But like I said, I love Philly.”
At what point does Trout seek a way out of Los Angeles? He enjoys being an Angel, but how much longer can he enjoy mediocrity and not being on a contender playing meaningful games in the later stages of his career?
Baseball fans just want to see Trout healthy and have fun playing baseball, which he has been for the most part this season, but he deserves to play meaningful baseball in October with a chance to hoist the World Series trophy, and that’s not happening anytime soon with the Angels.
It’s going to hurt tremendously, but the organization needs to rip the band-aid off and start the long process of building a good all-around team.
Trout will be starting in center field and batting leadoff for the AL in the All-Star Game on Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT on FOX.
