Could the 11-time All-Star move to a corner outfield position?
The Angels have not had to think twice about who to pencil in to center field on their first lineup card of the season since 2012.
The last player to start there on Opening Day other than Mike Trout? Peter Bourjos, whose last major league game was in May 2019.
However, it was reported by Robert Murray of The Baseball Insiders Podcast that the Angels and Trout have had internal discussions to potentially move him over to a corner outfield position to begin the 2024 season.
Report: The #Angels have discussed moving Mike Trout from CF.
MLB Insider Robert Murray says that signing a CF and moving Trout to a corner is "one of the many scenarios they’ve floated out internally.”https://t.co/GYvWbiThp9
— #SellTheTeamArte (@BeyondTheHalo) January 9, 2024
Over the last three years, Trout has dealt with injuries that have either ended his season early or caused him to miss most of the year. It’s possible the Angels’ front office can convince the 32-year-old former MVP that, despite his ability to play center field at a high level, a move to left field or right field — where Trout would be expected to cover less range — serves the greater good of keeping him healthy and on the field.
After his season-ending calf injury in 2021, Trout and the Angels discussed moving him to left field as a way to keep him healthy. Trout would later acknowledge the possibility of moving to a corner later in his career to keep him healthy, but stated he wanted to remain in center field for the time being. His last start at a position other than center field or designated hitter was in 2013.
As injuries have sidelined Trout more frequently, the likelihood of him changing positions seems more like a matter of when than if. Seven years remain on his 12-year, $426.5 million contract.
The Angels have a few options if they were to move Trout over. They could potentially sign a free-agent center fielder this offseason. The Angels have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Cody Bellinger. It’s unclear how they would pivot if Bellinger signs elsewhere. The other top center fielders on the market — Harrison Bader and Kevin Kiermaier — have already signed contracts.
Internally, the Angels could try using Jo Adell at his original position. The 24-year-old former prospect is now out of options. He has struggled defensively to play in the corner outfield, but could look more comfortable in center.
Adell might platoon or, if his bat fails to develop, give way to Mickey Moniak in center field altogether. A left-handed hitter, Adell primarily played center field once Trout was sidelined in 2023 with a hamate injury.
As of now, Trout remains the starting center fielder for the Angels. But his move to a corner outfield position could come sooner rather than later.
