Outside Noise Fueling Mike Trout to Find Success With Angels

The former American League MVP discusses his desire to stay put.

A superstar for the Los Angeles Angels and a three-time American League MVP is coming off the worst season in his career. The outside noise is deafening. 

Mike Trout knows fans are questioning his on-field performance. He also knows they are wondering why owner Arte Moreno let Shohei Ohtani walk, and why isn't he signing more talent to protect Trout.

Against this backdrop, Trout has made one thing clear — he wants to win in Anaheim. Instead of waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a move, Trout is driven to be better.

"The easy way out is just ask for a trade. There might be a time. Maybe. I really haven't thought about this. But when I signed that contract, I'm loyal. I want to win a championship here. The overall picture of winning a championship or getting to the playoffs here is bigger satisfaction [than] bailing out and just taking an easy way out. So, I think that's been my mindset. Maybe down the road if something's changed, but that's been my mindset ever since the trade speculations came up."

— 

Mike Trout, via ESPN

In an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Trout told him that the noise makes him want to win with the Angels.

On the Fair Territory Podcast, Ken Rosenthal said he spoke with Mike Trout:

“I asked him, ‘Hey, do you hear the noise? Do you hear what people are saying about you?’ And he said yes. And it makes me want to win [in Anaheim] even more.”https://t.co/c0eQH2MeX9

— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) March 4, 2024

The Angels haven't made the playoffs since 2014, even with Trout at his peak. So why does he stay?

It comes down to him wanting to be like his hero: Derek Jeter. Rosenthal said Trout grew up in New Jersey idolizing Jeter, who only played for one team in a 20-year career. That is what Trout is trying to do in Anaheim.

Trout isn't afraid to voice his opinion about specific free agents the Angels should sign. In theory, that would only further his goal of bringing the Angels the second championship in franchise history.

The Angels' biggest free agent acquisition to this point in the winter: reliever Robert Stephenson, who few would consider the missing piece standing between the Angels and a World Series title. 

As Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic, Trout's patience with the franchise isn't limitless:

What would make him want to move on?

“We got to win. I think that’s a big part. I want to win,” Trout said. “I’ve said it in an interview a few weeks ago at the beginning of spring, when the trade talks come up, I could go that route. That’s obviously a decision I would have to think about. I haven’t thought about any of that yet. I think the desire to win for this team is bigger than any of that.”

— Ken Rosenthal,

via The Athletic