Why the Angels Should Seriously Consider Trading Mike Trout This Offseason

As great as he is, there are plenty of questions.

Headed for one of the more vital offseasons in the history of their franchise, the Angels face many decisions that could be uncomfortable to execute concerning their superstars. 

Already at risk of losing one of their superstars to free agency in Shohei Ohtani, their other pricey former MVP winner Mike Trout could be on the trade block in the offseason, albeit with more risk attached to the older outfielder.

However, Trout, 32, would not generate the same trade return as in the past. He has not played more than 140 games since 2016, and will have missed 249 games the past three years if he doesn’t return this season. He still has $248.15 million owed to him the next seven years.

via Bob Nightengale, USA Today

Though Trout has been in trade discussions in previous seasons, the direction of the Halos franchise has never made such a possibility more likely than right now. 

With a limited prospect pool and not much else on the major league roster should Ohtani leave, trading Trout, even though he's been a franchise icon for over a decade, could eventually be the right decision for the long-term direction of the franchise. 

Even if the front office says that the team's choice to hold onto Ohtani at the trade deadline was a choice without regrets, Anaheim's place in the standings would indicate differently. 

Fourth in the AL West and all but guaranteed for another sub-.500 record without playoff baseball for the ninth consecutive year, the Angels may be the worst ran organization in sports today in their last decade of neglect. 

Should the team eventually lose Ohtani to free agency in 2023, Trout could be on the move next. 

Painful as it may be, Trout's days on the team may be numbered in a choice that could hurt both player and fans of the franchise's all time greatest player.