MLB Insider Says Philadelphia Phillies Could be in Play for Trout Trade

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout could be available via trade this winter, if he requests to be moved. One MLB insider has linked the Philadelphia Phillies to Trout.

Sunday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that the Los Angeles Angels are open to trading Mike Trout, if the three-time American League MVP were to request a trade this winter.

Monday, he elaborated further on the Jack Vita Show. Nightengale was asked about a potential trade market for Trout, and the longtime national baseball writer immediately linked Trout to the Philadelphia Phillies as a potential landing spot.

“Well he calls his own shots, because he has a no-trade clause,” Nightengale said. “So, you would think Philadelphia because it’s his hometown team. Yankees, Mets. Maybe stops right around there, really. I’m not sure what the trade market would be. It depends on how much money the Angels would be willing to eat, if they’d eat any. That’s a big financial commitment."

Nightengale also believes that Trout's trade value has gone down in recent months. The Angels' center fielder missed a large chunk of the 2023 season due to injury, and has only played 82 games this year. Trout has been hampered by injuries over the past few years. The 11-time All-Star played just 36 games in 2021 and 119 games in 2022. Trout's large contract and difficulties to stay on the field will likely shrink his trade market.

"A few months ago, maybe the Yankees would have said, ‘Here’s Jasson Dominguez for him,’ and now Dominguez is hurt," Nightengale said. "But yeah, you’re not going to get a whole lot more than financial relief at this point… Maybe some team’s top-10 prospect or two of their top-15… You’re talking about $35 million a year, and he’s missed so much time over the last few years.”

Trout, 32, has a remaining seven years and $248.15 million left on his contract. He also has a full no-trade clause and would have to approve of any trade the Angels want to make.

Both the Mets and the Yankees have disappointed immensely in 2023. The Mets entered the season with the largest payroll in Major League Baseball history. The Yankees had baseball's second-richest payroll. Entering September 12, both clubs have losing records. Would it really make sense for the Yankees and Mets to spend even more, and add another seismic contract to their respective payrolls?

The Phillies have the fifth-largest payroll in the sport this season, but unlike both teams in the Big Apple, the club's financial investments seem to be paying dividends. The Phillies reached the World Series last season. Entering September 12, Philadelphia has the fourth-best record in the National League this season. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has been known to spend. If Trout requests a trade, Dombrowski could certainly explore the possibility of adding the future first-ballot Hall of Famer to an already potent lineup. The move would unite 2012 AL and NL Rookie of the Year Award winners Bryce Harper and Trout.

As Nightengale mentions, Trout was born in Vineland, New Jersey and is a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan. Vineland is about 40 minutes from the Phillies' home, Citizens Bank Park. If Trout wants out, playing for his hometown team is not out of the realm of possibility. However, Trout has shown no indication that he wants to leave the West Coast. It will be interesting to see how things shake out this winter.

You can catch the full conversation with Bob Nightengale on the Jack Vita Show here:

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