Boston could use a Hall of Fame outfielder

The Boston Red Sox will need to make some notable roster changes if they want to compete in the historically strong American League East next season.

We’ve known for a long time that one of the greatest players of all time will be available for hire this winter: Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. As it turns out, his Hall of Fame teammate might become available as well.

“The Los Angeles Angels, perhaps for the first time, are open to trading All-Star outfielder Mike Trout if he indicates to them that he wants out,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday. “Trout has exclusive no-trade rights and said recently that he wants to have a private conversation with the front office and ownership about their direction.”

Given the fact that Ohtani has a good chance of leaving, most of Los Angeles’ top talent was just shipped away off waivers for nothing and the organization zapped their farm system at the Major League Baseball trade deadline, there really is no reason for Trout to want to stick around.

If Trout is deemed available, it would be a wild storyline to watch. The 32-year-old has been a locked-and-loaded first-ballot Hall of Famer for years. While his prime might be nearing its end, he’s still a more-than-serviceable weapon on the open market. The free-agent position player class is weak, making Trout even more enticing than he already is.

Trout hit .263 with 33 extra-base hits including 18 home runs, 44 RBIs and a .858 OPS (130 OPS+) in 82 games this season. His production — which was 30% better than the league average — was the lowest it’s been since he was a 19-year-old rookie. The three-time American League MVP notched a 2.7 bWAR in just half of the games played this season.

Remarkably, Trout still has seven years remaining on the 12-year, $426.5 million contract.

The Boston Red Sox certainly could use an elite outfielder to join Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran, Alex Verdugo, Robert Refsnyder and a slew of prospects.

However, his contract makes it hard to get a trade of any kind done. The Angels could agree to absorb a hefty sum of Trout’s remaining contract but it still would be unwise to take the latter half of a record-breaking deal.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has been reluctant to overspend and Boston would have to do just that to add Trout.

Pitching is the clear No. 1 need for the Red Sox and while it would make sense to go substantially over the luxury tax for the next two seasons, Trout likely won’t be a top priority.

Trout is a legendary player but the Red Sox are solid in the outfield and need to prioritize other needs. The only way Trout ends up in Boston is if his market falls below his value, which is highly unlikely.