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Mike Trout isn’t ready to ask for a trade yet, but he’s not ruling out the possibility in the future.
The Los Angeles Angels outfielder told reporters he’s been pushing ownership to make additions to fortify the roster and indicated he could change his mind about his long-term future with the franchise if things don’t improve.
“You know, there might be a time. I’ve really haven’t thought about this,” Trout told reporters when asked if he could someday ask for a trade. “But you know, when I signed that contract, I’m loyal.”
Trout has seven years remaining on his contract, each boasting identical $35.5 million salaries.
The 11-time All-Star has spent his entire career with the Angels, emerging as the best player in baseball before injuries have derailed his last few seasons. Trout was limited to just 82 games last season and hasn’t topped 120 games played since 2019, his last MVP campaign.
When Trout was available last season, he remained one of the sport’s premier hitters. He slashed .263/.367/.490 with 18 home runs and 44 runs batted in, earning All-Star honors for the third straight year.
The Angels spent have never been able to parlay Trout’s greatness into consistent contention. They have made the playoffs only once during Trout’s career, all the way back in 2014.
The Angels managed to fumble having Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the roster at the same time, never finishing above .500 with the pair on the roster. Ohtani left for the Los Angeles Dodgers—and championship contention—in the offseason on a massive new contract.
Trout is now left as the lone superstar with the Angels and will face consistent questions about his future until the team finds playoff contention. That’s unlikely to happen in 2024, as the front office went all in last season in a failed attempt to make a run before jettisoning several veterans late in the year.
Odds are Trout will continue starring for the Angels in 2024 while Ohtani gets his first crack at playoff glory not too far down the road.
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