MLB Analyst Suggests Angels Trade Mike Trout as Decline Begins

Does trading Trout make sense for the Angels?

This past season there has been the loudest buzz regarding any trade from the Los Angeles Angels including star outfielder Mike Trout. For years, Trout was untouchable, but all the noise has people thinking that the team could move him sooner rather than later.

His contract makes things tough for any trade to go through, which could see him stay with the Halos. He is signed through the 2030 season while being paid $37.116 million each year on payroll salary. Most teams aren’t going to be open to taking that on without some help in payment.

MLB Network analyst Brian Kenny broke down his thoughts on Trout and explained why the Angels should possibly look to move their star outfielder.

“Every single year (from 2016-2022) he’s hit like an upper echelon Hall of Fame player (.430 OBP, .613 SLG). This year, yikes (.367 OBP, .490 SLG). Maybe he was hurt but that’s not [worth] $37 million per year. You can wait for a rebound or you can hope that that doesn’t bother your trading partner. Because you’re not just trading the player, you’re trading the contract.”

Per Brian Kenny via MLB Network

Trout did have a down year, but injuries did likely play a factor in everything. But before his injury that saw him miss time, he was struggling a bit, so maybe there is something there.

In 82 games played, Trout hit .263 with 18 home runs and 44 runs batted in. He had an OPS of .858, which was the lowest of his career since his rookie season.

"If you are the Angels and believe in your ability to build a winning team, you can do that with your merging core.”

BK digs into Mike Trout and the young crop of Angels talent. #MLBNow pic.twitter.com/katwiMhmrc

— MLB Now (@MLBNow) November 13, 2023

The team hopes that this isn’t a sign of things to come, as they need him going forward. They are banking on him being the player that they have come to expect, especially given his contract that is left over.

Trout remains one of the better trading pieces that the Halos currently have, so he could net them a decent offer back, especially if they are willing to pay for a chunk of his deal. But he seems content to stay with the team right now, and the Angels will do right by him.

They know that he has given them his all and will keep him on the team unless he asks out. He has been the face of the franchise for a long time now, and he means everything to this organization.