After the Los Angeles Angels lost superstar former MVP Shohei Ohtani in free agency, there was a lot of speculation that fellow former MVP Mike Trout might try to seek a trade from the team in an attempt to compete for championships elsewhere. But it does not look like he’s going to do that.
On Monday, Mike Trout left the door open for the possibility of a trade down the line but made it clear that he does not want to be traded right now, calling it the “easy way out,” according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
“You know, there might be a time (when a trade makes sense for me),” Trout told reporters Monday according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. “I’ve really haven’t thought about this. But you know, when I signed that contract, I’m loyal.”
Mike Trout on future trade possibility: ‘You know, there might be a time. I've really haven't thought about this. But you know, when I signed that contract, I'm loyal.’’
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 19, 2024
Mike Trout just said he does not want to be traded now — he called it “the easy way out” — and that he’s been pushing Angels owner Arte Moreno and general manager Perry Minasian to sign one of the remaining big free agents.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 19, 2024
Obviously, this is some pretty significant news regarding Trout’s future with the Angels as it’s clear that he intends to be a part of the team’s rebuild and continued pursuit of a championship instead of simply joining a roster that’s already ready to contend.
We’ll have to see how this decision plays out for him this season and beyond.
[Bob Nightengale, Jeff Passan]
