Mike Trout Discusses Asking Angels For A Trade

Mike Trout, when healthy, is still one of Major League Baseball's best players. 

Despite being just 32-years-old, he's already a lock to be a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee, having surpassed many current members in key statistical categories. He's had four seasons above nine WAR, with two over 10. Bryce Harper, who entered the league with even more hype, has one such season. Juan Soto has never been above seven, while Aaron Judge has only one season above nine. Mike Trout is really, really good.

But because he was drafted by one of baseball's most frustrating organizations, he's had just one postseason appearance in his 12-year career. And it was a three-game series loss in 2014. 

READ: Arte Moreno Doesn't Sound Like He's Going To Sell The Angels After Losing Ohtani

That lack of success combined with the devastating loss of Shohei Ohtani in free agency to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers led to speculation that Trout may have finally had enough of being stuck in Anaheim. And he addressed that speculation recently, discussing with the media whether or not he'd be asking the organization to trade him this season to a contending team.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Mike Trout in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mike Trout Seems To Want To Stick Around

Despite a frustrating 2023 season that saw him play just 82 games, and the loss of Ohtani, Trout doesn't seem ready to move on.

"I think the easy way out is to ask for a trade," Trout said, via The Athletic. "There might be a time, maybe. I really haven’t thought about this. When I signed that contract, I’m loyal. I want to win a championship here. 

"The overall picture of winning a championship or getting to the playoffs here is the bigger satisfaction than bailing out or taking the easy way out. I think that’s been my mindset. Maybe down the road, if some things change."

That contract, a 12-year, $426.5 million deal, won't end until 2030. Given the team's lack of recent success, mediocre farm system, lack of investment, confusing teammates and Ohtani's move to LA, no one would blame Trout for wanting to move on as he heads into the latter part of his career. He can certainly want to win a championship in Anaheim, but it's hard to see a realistic path for that to happen in the near future.

His contract and injury history would mean the Angels might have to eat a significant amount of money to trade Trout. But in doing so, they could get better prospects and reset the team's composition moving forward. While he seems settled now, if the Angels are sitting well below .500 in a few months, that might change in a hurry. Stay tuned.