Why Hasn't Mike Trout Requested a Trade? Former Angels Beat Writer Shares Her Thoughts

Is a loyal relationship enough to win with the Angels?

Mike Trout has been the face of the Los Angeles Angels for better and for worse. When he committed to the franchise long-term, he meant it.

Now 32, and almost 13 years removed from his MLB debut, Trout isn't going anywhere unless he is forced. 

Sarah Valenzuela, formerly of the Los Angeles Times, joined "Foul Territory," and discussed why Mike Trout hasn't requested a trade and most likely won't.

“From what I gather about Trout is he is both loyal and comfortable, at least this is how I piece it together in my head. He didn’t even get to his own free agency period."

Sarah Valenzuela via Foul Territory

"He just likes where he is"@Sarah_IsabelVee says that despite the @angels playoff drought, don't expect Mike Trout to demand a trade. He is committed "for better or worse"

▶️ https://t.co/VWxy97zcyy pic.twitter.com/pC5zrQ8UAa

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 26, 2024

Depending on your disposition, there are plenty of things to like about playing for the Angels. The pressure to win in Anaheim isn't as high as New York or even Los Angeles. Trout doesn't have to play every single night under a bright national spotlight. 

According to ESPN, the Angels averaged the 13th-highest-paid attendance last season — and that was with Trout and Ohtani.

Valenzuela continued by saying Trout's loyalty, and enjoying where he's at, also contributed to him not requesting a trade.

"He gets to play somewhere where, yes there is pressure, but it’s not quite the same kind of pressure as say, maybe playing for the Dodgers. The fanbase here will embrace the team here through good and bad. He’s being compensated very, very fairly. But beyond that, he is, for better or worse, committed to seeing this team that he started with getting to a place that he knows that he can say he brought them to.”

– Sarah Valenzuela via Foul Territory

Maybe there will be a day when the Angels are committed to winning with Mike Trout like he is committed to winning with them. For now, the relationship will just remain comfortable.