Shohei Ohtani’s looming free agency decision will have significant implications on the Los Angeles Angels, who could decide to enter a full-blown rebuild if the two-way star signs elsewhere.
That has led to speculation that Mike Trout could be traded this offseason. A report earlier this month suggested the Los Angeles Dodgers may look to acquire the three-time American League MVP in the event they sign Ohtani.
However, Angels general manager Perry Minasian denied the possibility and said Trout will be playing for the organization next season.
During a recent episode of “Dodger Talk,” David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports further downplayed the notion that the Dodgers and Angels discussed a trade for Trout:
“I know there were rumors thrown out about the Dodgers and Angels talking about a Mike Trout trade, there is no truth to that.”
It was always difficult to imagine that the Angels would be willing to trade Trout, much less to the Dodgers. Angels owner Arte Moreno does not like to give up his franchise cornerstones and rarely makes deals with the Dodgers.
In 2020, Moreno reportedly grew frustrated with the delay for a trade to acquire Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling and therefore backed out of negotiations.
Aside from the Angels’ reluctance to trade Trout, his contract could be an impediment to interested teams. He signed a record-setting 12-year, $426.5 million extension in March 2019 that will keep him under team control through 2030.
From the Dodgers side, it would have been hard to justify taking on Trout’s contract when he has not seen the field much in recent years due to injury despite the talent. And because of that, the Angels would have been limited in their return as well.
However, both Trout’s numbers could easily be shattered when Ohtani signs his contract, unless he opts to sign a short-term deal to re-establish his value as a pitcher in the coming years.
Mike Trout 2023 season
While Trout remains one of the most talented players when healthy, he has struggled to stay on the field in recent years. The 32-year-old has played in just 237 games over the past three seasons, which is fewer than half of the Angels’ games over that time.
Trout hit a solid .263/.367/.490 with 18 home runs and 44 RBI this past season, but only appeared in 82 games due to a left hamate fracture that sidelined him for most of the second half.
