Mike Trout is still an Angel. He is also apparently the source of a full cycle of misinformation about his role in Los Angeles’ trade deadline strategy.
Trout spoke with reporters this week to shut down speculation that he had personally influenced the Angels’ deadline decisions. The narrative, driven by his in-person visit to interim GM John Mozeliak, was that Trout was somehow directing the front office on who to move.
Not so, according to Trout.
“People were blowing it up,” Trout told MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. “It wasn’t what everybody’s saying. Basically, just going over everything. It wasn’t like I was telling him, ‘Oh, trade this guy, trade that guy.’ It was basically just a plan. It was just Mo trying to build a relationship with me in the couple weeks he’s been here. Just being transparent.”
The Angels Sold, and Trout Stayed
Los Angeles was one of the more active sellers at the deadline, shipping out starter Jose Soriano, outfielder Jo Adell, and relievers Ryan Zeferjahn, Brent Suter, and Kirby Yates. That is a legitimate retooling, but the biggest name on the roster did not budge. Trout, thanks in part to his no-trade clause and in part to his stated desire to remain in Anaheim, is still wearing red.
Trout being consulted on the direction of the franchise is not new or scandalous. He is the face of the team. Mozeliak just took over. Him sitting down with the greatest player in franchise history to explain his vision is basic management, not conspiracy.
The Angels’ Bigger Problem
The bigger issue is that the Angels are 43-70 and Trout, at 34, is running out of runway to compete on a winning team in Anaheim. He signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract in 2019 that runs through 2030. That deal, at the time considered a bargain, has been anchored to a franchise that has not sniffed the postseason since Trout debuted in 2011.
Trout has been asked repeatedly about his desire to win now versus stay loyal, and he keeps giving the same answer. He wants to be here. He wants to help build something. That loyalty is admirable and, depending on your view, either heroic or naive.
Mozeliak’s Play Was Smart
Regardless of the outcome on the field, Mozeliak deserves credit for how he handled the deadline. He sold assets that were not part of the long-term plan, brought in prospect capital, and made sure his franchise player felt included in the conversation.
The blowback online was inevitable. Whenever Trout does anything visible, the internet spins it. He shows up in the front office and now he is directing trades. He posts on Instagram and now he is unhappy. He takes a day off and now he is retiring. Trout has been the biggest character in the Angels’ fictional media universe for over a decade.
What Trout said this week is what he always says. He is trying to help the Angels get back on track. The wins have not come. The commitment has not wavered. Both things are true, and one of them is a lot more admirable than the other should be at this point.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
