In early December, Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian stated unequivocally that three-time AL MVP outfielder Mike Trout would not be traded.
Trout’s longtime teammate (two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani) signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers a few days later. With Ohtani no longer a Halo player, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt told Chris Rose that he hopes the Angels also send Trout to an NL contender.
Despite 11 All-Star appearances, nine Silver Slugger awards, three MVPs, and a Rookie of the Year award, the 2009 draft pick remains without a World Series ring. At this point, Angels fans and MLB fans alike would like Trout to finally win a playoff game.
Since his debut in July 2011, he has been the franchise’s face for more than a decade, and in 2014, he helped lead Los Angeles to its only postseason berth in the previous 14 years. The Angels’ playoff run was cut short when they were swept in the ALDS by the Kansas City Royals.
Even with Trout and Ohtani on the roster for another year, the Halos finished fourth in the AL West at 73-89 in 2023, their eighth consecutive losing season.
A move to Philadelphia would appear to give the 32-year-old outfielder a good chance of making it back to the postseason.
The Phillies advanced to the NLCS this season before losing in Game 7 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team came close to winning their first World Series since 2008 in 2022, but were defeated in a six-game Fall Classic against the Houston Astros.
With one-time All-Star pitchers Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler atop the starting rotation, and two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper and star shortstop Trea Turner leading a stacked offense, Philadelphia appears to be an annual contender. If Trout is ever traded, the City of Brotherly Love will undoubtedly welcome him with open arms and provide him with a great opportunity to play meaningful October baseball.
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