How Much Longer Can Mike Trout Stay In Anaheim?

Mike Trout has shown through the first month of the season that when healthy, he remains one of the best players in Major League Baseball. 

Trout ranks second in baseball in home runs with eight, has been 50 percent better than replacement level as a hitter, added value with his base running, and despite some poor batted ball luck, has an OPS near .900. He's cut his strikeout rate significantly from the past few seasons, and most importantly, has played in all 23 of his team's games.

Despite all that positive momentum and Trout's performance, the Los Angels Angels are just 9-14, with a -19 run differential and have just a 6.6 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs. While the team's offense has been a surprising positive thanks to solid starts from Taylor Ward, Logan O'Hoppe, Jo Adell and Miguel Sano, the pitching staff has yet again been a disappointment. 

Outside of Reid Detmers, Patrick Sandoval, Griffin Canning and Chase Silseth have contributed 11 starts with a 7.26 ERA. Sounds like the Angels.

Unsurprisingly, speculation increased about Trout potentially asking out of Anaheim after Shohei Ohtani fled for the much more successful crosstown Los Angeles Dodgers. But a new report from ESPN says otherwise; and according to those around him, Trout has no intention of leaving.

"He wants to stay," said former MLB star and Angels special assistant Torii Hunter. "For the people that say he should get traded -- it's not their decision. It's Trout's decision. For people to say that he doesn't want to win a championship -- that's 100 percent false. This guy's always had fire and a desire to win."

Trout himself has said that outside influences have no impact on what he decides.

"It ultimately comes down to what I want, what Jess wants, as a family," Trout said. "The overall, outside perspective doesn't influence me one bit." 

But how realistic is that moving forward?

ANAHEIM, CA: Mike Trout during the MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mike Trout Trade Makes Too Much Sense

Though ESPN reported that Trout seems to be motivated by the desire to wear one uniform for his entire career, like his idol Derek Jeter, in his age-32 season and with declining health, it's hard to see how much longer he stays in Anaheim.

There are some holdups, however. For the Angels side, a trade would mean they'd have to send money to the acquiring party to offset some of the remaining $240 million in contract guarantees. For Trout, a trade would mean leaving the only organization he's ever known and potentially adjusting to a new league, new staff and new ballpark. 

Yet the advantages easily outweigh the negatives.

The Angels would free up an enormous amount of payroll, while acquiring prospects that could help them rebuild into a contender. Trout would finally be free of an organization that's spent money as inefficiently as any in the sport and missed the playoffs for nearly a decade. Despite playing in the easiest time in MLB history to make the playoffs, thanks to expanded wild card spots.

Better run organizations like the Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees or Cubs could give Trout an opportunity to make the playoffs immediately and into the foreseeable future, with owners clearly committed to remaining competitive year after year. 

He's said he has no intention of requesting a trade, but as the months pass and Trout heads into another July with the Angels buried in the standings, it's hard to see him committing to spend the rest of his career in obscurity. For his sake, and for baseball's sake, let's hope he changes his mind.