Entering the offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have been focusing on what will happen with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. With him being a free agent, many are expecting Ohtani to leave the Halos this winter in search of joining a more consistent winner.
But there is another player currently under contract who has been heavily talked about being a potential trade candidate, and that would be co-star Mike Trout. The veteran outfielder has had a lot of buzz around him regarding a trade this offseason, even if it seems unlikely due to his contract.
The Angels may not want to trade Trout, but it has been reported that if he were to ask out, the team would oblige with his desire. However, Trout hasn’t given any hints regarding that and even said that he expects to be with the team at the beginning of next season.
General Manager Perry Minasian all but shut down any Trout trade rumors at the GM meetings, saying that Trout is someone who he wants around.
“He’s somebody we love to be associated with and, I go back to it again, somebody that’s gonna help us win a lot of games.”
Per Perry Minasian via MLB.com
Assuming that the Angels don’t move away from their star player, he will again be the face of the team if Ohtani does leave. Trout is still a very good player, but he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy over the years, which has been his biggest issue.
#Angels GM Perry Minasian shot down rumors of a Mike Trout trade
“Mike Trout’s an Angel. We’re excited to have Mike Trout.
He’s somebody we love to be associated with and, I go back to it again, somebody that’s gonna help us win a lot of games.”
(via https://t.co/HGPNp9U1nn) pic.twitter.com/q15Fc9SNX7
— Beyond The Halo (@BeyondTheHalo) November 8, 2023
Last season, he missed the majority of the second half due to injury, but he is hopeful that he can put together a fully healthy season. It was considered a down year for the star player last year, as he hit .263 with 18 home runs and 44 runs batted in over 82 games.
He will be counted on to lead this team if Ohtani leaves, and the hope is that he can get himself back into the former MVP level of himself. A lot weighs on what Ohtani will do, but Trout seems like he is here to stay with the Halos.
MLB 2023
