Rosenthal: Mr. Angel? Mike Trout's chance of ever escaping the franchise now seems even less likely (2024)

No player is untradeable, not even an aging, broken-down, signed-through-2030 Mike Trout. But with Trout’s latest injury, the horrifying thought of him spending the rest of his career with the Los Angeles Angels is moving closer to becoming reality.

Trout, who turns 33 on Aug. 7, is expected to be out at least 8 to 12 weeks while recovering from surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. He is guaranteed $35.45 million this season and in each of the next six. Even if he returned by say, Aug. 1, and finished on a roll, what team would trust him enough this offseason to take on most or all of his remaining $212.7 million? From 2021 to 2023, Trout missed more games than he played. And given that he is historically a slow healer, he isn’t exactly on track to reverse that trend in 2024.

"We'll get through it" 😢 @EricaLWeston @Angels l #RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/2pxLf8JJfn

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 1, 2024

A trade of Trout, of course, was a long way from ever happening. To the dismay of many opposing fans, the three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star has steadfastly refused to ask out of Anaheim, maintaining he wants to spend his entire career with one team, like his boyhood idol, Derek Jeter, and win with the Angels.

At the start of spring training, Trout said he was “pushing, pushing, pushing” upper management to add free agents, an indication, perhaps, of his growing impatience. Well, his fuse needed to be shorter. He waited too long.

For a trade scenario to become realistic, the following was necessary:

• The Angels to stink again, which was all but a given.

• Trout to A) return to near-MVP form, which at least stood a chance of happening before he hurt his knee; and B) request a trade, which even Angels fans would have understood considering he has never won a postseason game and not even appeared in the playoffs since 2014.

• Angels owner Arte Moreno to demonstrate a willingness not only to grant Trout’s wish but also to include significant cash in a trade, which … was never happening.

Moreno, remember, repeatedly declined to authorize a trade of Shohei Ohtani, even though it would have brought a monster return that could have kick-started his sorry franchise. He then declined to match the Los Angeles Dodgers’ $700 million offer to Ohtani with $680 million deferred, a deal that could very well pay for itself. Ohtani might not have taken the Angels’ money, mind you. But all the Angels will get back for him now is — yikes — the 74th pick in the 2024 draft.

At a reduced annual salary — $15 million? $20 million? — some club still might want Trout. Trades involving major paydowns have been become increasingly common over the past quarter-century. Moreno has made some, sending the New York Yankees more than $28 million to dump Vernon Wells in March 2013 and $63 million to the Texas Rangers to get rid of Josh Hamilton in April 2015. Wells no longer was a productive player. Hamilton angered Moreno by relapsing into substance abuse. Trout, in contrast, is a model citizen and elite player when healthy, a Moreno favorite.

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For Wells and Hamilton, the Angels received virtually nothing. For Trout, Moreno probably would want, oh, six top-100 prospects, particularly if he was parting with tens of millions to facilitate the deal. Trout’s actual trade value, even at a reduced financial commitment, would be much less. So, good luck talking Moreno into this. He wouldn’t trade Ohtani when, more than once, he had the chance to make the same type of deal the Washington Nationals made for Juan Soto.

And now where are the Angels? Stuck with two players, Trout and Anthony Rendon, who combined are earning nearly $75 million annually through the completion of Rendon’s contract in 2026 yet cannot stay on the field. Which is where Trout’s tolerance for Moreno’s erratic stewardship becomes less understandable. The team is a mess, has been a mess, is going to be a mess for at least the next few years.

The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked the Angels’ farm system 29th out of 30, ahead of only the Oakland A’s. Even if the Angels somehow turn it around by the end of Trout’s contract, how functional a player will he be in his late 30s? His early 30s sure have not gone well.

In spring training, Trout told me he heard the noise about how he is content with the Angels, doesn’t want to win, won’t demand a trade. In an interview I conducted with him for Fox Sports, he said, “It fuels me more.” He was convinced he was about to return to form, saying he was getting chills just thinking about the possibility. And the way he was playing, a 50-homer, 30-stolen base season — proof he was still the GOAT, or at least, one of the top current players — seemed within his reach.

His earnestness remains one of his most endearing qualities. The suggestion that he does not want to play in a more demanding market always seemed off to those who know him best, who see how hard he works, who witness his competitive fire. But Trout’s desire to succeed with the Angels instead of somewhere else seemed, to most on the outside, a fanciful notion.

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Armed with full no-trade protection, he could have leveraged his way to the Philadelphia Phillies, the team closest to his hometown of Millville, N.J. He could have blended in with a clubhouse full of hungry stars — Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. And he could have been celebrated for escaping a bad situation rather than criticized for staying put.

It didn’t have to be the Phillies. It could have been virtually any contender with payroll flexibility. And it didn’t need to get to the point of a trade. Trout twice signed extensions with the Angels when he could have become a free agent entering his ages 26 and 29 seasons. His loyalty was commendable. But at the moment, he’s looking like a modern equivalent of Ernie Banks, who holds the major-league record for most games played in a career without making the playoffs (2,528).

Banks, playing in an era before free agency, never had the opportunity to choose another team. For most of his career, only the league champions made the playoffs, meeting in the World Series. He was a beloved figure, known as Mr. Cub. He made the Hall of Fame. But to many, there was always something missing, a what-might-have been aspect to his legacy.

Trout, in the wake of his latest injury, is moving into similar territory. More than ever, he seems destined to remain Mr. Angel. As good as his intentions might have been, that’s a very sad thing to say.

(Photo: Paul Rutherford / Getty Images)

Rosenthal: Mr. Angel? Mike Trout's chance of ever escaping the franchise now seems even less likely (1)Rosenthal: Mr. Angel? Mike Trout's chance of ever escaping the franchise now seems even less likely (2)

Ken Rosenthal is the senior baseball writer for The Athletic who has spent nearly 35 years covering the major leagues. In addition, Ken is a broadcaster and regular contributor to Fox Sports' MLB telecasts. He's also won Emmy Awards in 2015 and 2016 for his TV reporting. Follow Ken on Twitter @Ken_Rosenthal

Rosenthal: Mr. Angel? Mike Trout's chance of ever escaping the franchise now seems even less likely (2024)

FAQs

Why does Mike Trout not leave the Angels? ›

Trout, who signed a $360 million extension in 2019, has a complete no-trade clause. If he wanted out, the Angels would let teams know, but they never engaged in a single trade discussion. Trout, 32, won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2030 season.

What was the break down of Mike Trout's contract? ›

Mike Trout signed a 12 year , $426,500,000 contract with the Los Angeles Angels, including $20,000,000 signing bonus, $426,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $35,541,667. In 2024, Trout will earn a base salary of $35,450,000, while carrying a total salary of $37,116,666.

How many more years does Mike Trout have with the Angels? ›

Trout's contract keeps him with the Angels through 2030. He will become a free agent before the 2031 season at 39 years old.

How much money has Mike Trout made with the Angels? ›

Mike Trout signed a 12-year / $426.5 Million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019, which guarantees him $426.5 million throughout its tenure along with a signing bonus of $20,000,000 and an annual average salary of $35,541,667.

Is Mike Trout retiring in 2024? ›

Mike Trout will be out for the rest of 2024, per Angels GM Perry Minasian. The best ability is availability… he's never had that.

Is Mike Trout out of his prime? ›

The one thing the Angels got right was extending Trout through the rest of his prime and pairing him with Ohtani. Everything after that was a mistake, and now it's likely Trout is out of his prime.

How rich is Mike Trout? ›

Mike Trout's Net Worth - $145 Million. For all the talk about how Major League Baseball hasn't done a good enough job marketing Trout, he's still made -- and will make -- an incredible amount of money during his illustrious playing career.

Who is the oldest MLB player? ›

Satchel Paige is the oldest player ever to play in MLB. Jack Quinn is the oldest player to appear regularly. Julio Franco is the oldest position player to appear regularly.

Why does Mike Trout wear 27? ›

The reason why this was so widely talked about was that another baseball superstar, Vlad Guerrero, had worn the number in the then-recent past. Guerrero retired in 2009 and not even two years later, Trout debuted with the same jersey. Fans would show up to Angel Stadium with 27 stamped across both players' names.

Is Mike Trout a Republican? ›

Michael Trout (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 23rd Congressional District. Trout lost in the Democratic primary on August 23, 2022.

How much does Mike Trout make in endorsem*nts? ›

Top 15 Highest-Paid MLB Players in 2024
RankPlayerEndorsem*nts
7Mike Trout$5M
8Jacob deGrom$400K
9Corey Seager$4M
10Anthony Rendon$250K
11 more rows
Mar 20, 2024

What did Mike Trout say about the Angels? ›

Obviously there were a few guys that I think if — not just the Angels, I think in general — guys you want on your team,” Trout said, before shifting gears. “But the guys we've got in this clubhouse, we're confident in.” Right now, Trout maintained, they've got to only think about the people who are in the room.

Why did Mike Trout leave the game? ›

Trout began a rehab stint Tuesday with Salt Lake but exited after just two innings because of soreness in his surgically repaired left knee.

How did the Angels draft Mike Trout? ›

First-round selections

The Los Angeles Angels selected Mike Trout 25th overall. Trout is an 11x All-Star, 3x American League MVP, and 9x Silver Slugger as outfielder. The Washington Nationals selected Stephen Strasburg first overall. The 3x All-Star lead the Nationals to a 2019 World Series win.

How old was Mike Trout when he joined the Angels? ›

Mike Trout was born on Wednesday, August 7, 1991, in Vineland, New Jersey. Trout was 19 years old when he broke into the major leagues on July 8, 2011, with the Los Angeles Angels.

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