To me this is a legit question though some people find it crazy to even discuss.
Trout is 28 years old, turns 29 net year and has had a torrid 9 year start to his career. One that gets him placed already by some people into where he fits compared to the greatest players of all time (through 9 years of their careers).
However.....
when looking at team building and team results:
a) Trout's teams have made the post-season one time in 9 years and were swept by the Royals
b) Trout hasn't played more than 140 games since 2016
c) Trout is owed over $390M guaranteed through his age 38 season
d) he might be the most valuable single player in MLB history to be traded (if he were traded).
e) the past three seasons, with Trout playing 140 games or less they are on average a sub .500 team.
So, when looking forward instead of backwards, what are the chances the next 9 years are as productive as the past 9?
The Angels got the best (IMO) of Trout's career and trading him this off-season would possibly set the team up for future on-field success better than having him.
I do think Trout draws fans, but at what cost?
Secondly, if you think the Angels should consider trading Trout what would a trade look like?
They are supposedly making a big push for Cole. Who knows, but you are right, they have wasted the prime years for Trout at this point.
The Angels arent strapped. They have money to spend and likely want to get good eventually. Failures in doing that or not up to this poiny, they likely still see Trout as the solution to making that happen, rather than not.
Most of the years it was top 5-7.
I don't think it's just spending that is holding them back.
not sure what the reason is.
Trout seems like a good guy, and playing for a non-threatening team like the Angels I can want him to succeed without worry, but he needs post-season success (along with sustained greatness) to be truly considered among the all time greats.
Not sure he gets that in LA.
He wouldn't be the first "best player in baseball" to be traded.
I also don't think they care all that much. Having trout makes them money.
Their front office has been terrible in free agency for a decade. They continually make egregious mistakes. Pujols was a nightmare for them but even recently giving out big money to guys like Harvey, Lucroy, etc.
Its been like that for a while.
Their front office has been terrible in free agency for a decade. They continually make egregious mistakes. Pujols was a nightmare for them but even recently giving out big money to guys like Harvey, Lucroy, etc.
Its been like that for a while.
Angels did Cardinals a huge favor by their humongous offer to Pujols.
So I believe Trout's economic value to Arte Moreno is so significant that trading him would actually take money out of Moreno's deep pockets...
why will this year or the next or the next....
be different than the past 9?
they had one division winner.
if you trade Trout, you get a couple MLB ready, high ceiling players, and a few close to the majors high potential prospects and clear money from the payroll to bring in maybe 2 $20M players instead of one almost $40M player.
Just think sometimes it makes sense to trade one horse for a few ponies.
Red Sox are debating this now with Mookie Betts.
It will be interesting to see what the Sox do. Betts is 27, one more year before he hits FA, his value is probably at his peak.
Do they sign him long-term, lock up his 30's or deal him for assets.
Mets' ownership wouldn't do that deal...because they'd still have to pay Trout's salary.
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To the Mets for a bag of baseball's. 😁
Mets' ownership wouldn't do that deal...because they'd still have to pay Trout's salary.
Scary thing is the Mets probably wouldnt even take him for free due to the contract.
No one can predict health, but these massive contracts always seem to hurt at the end.
At 28, and as an 8fWAR player, the contract is market rate, but at 33 and maybe a declining 4fWAR player it might not be.
It's hard trading superstars, but in the long run, sometimes may be good for the overall future of the team.
Not saying that's the case here, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Even a player like Stanton, whose contract looked fair when it was signed, even being back-loaded. Is it?
Or are fans hoping he opts out?
Not saying i know one way or the other, but Stanton is just 30.
No one can predict health, but these massive contracts always seem to hurt at the end.
At 28, and as an 8fWAR player, the contract is market rate, but at 33 and maybe a declining 4fWAR player it might not be.
It's hard trading superstars, but in the long run, sometimes may be good for the overall future of the team.
Not saying that's the case here, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Even a player like Stanton, whose contract looked fair when it was signed, even being back-loaded. Is it?
Or are fans hoping he opts out?
Not saying i know one way or the other, but Stanton is just 30.
yes, fans are hoping that Stanton opts out, but he absolutely will not do it.
Nobody held a gun to his head to sign the extension he just signed. He could have easily hit free agency and likely gotten an even bigger contract. If he was so desperate to win, he had his chance. He decided to stay with that loser franchise. I love Trout, but nobody should be feeling sorry for him anymore. He chose this
Either way, I want to see Trout in October. It's a travesty that the best player of the last decade has been shut out from MLB's biggest stage.
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of Angels games and to see the "home crowd" he plays for, it is just such a waste and makes me wonder whether a player like him might have any burning desire to play in a real sports town. It's like a long, statistically-padded vacation down there. Maybe Maddon is the X-factor do get some excitement going? Dubious to pin hopes on a manager change.
Nobody held a gun to his head to sign the extension he just signed. He could have easily hit free agency and likely gotten an even bigger contract. If he was so desperate to win, he had his chance. He decided to stay with that loser franchise. I love Trout, but nobody should be feeling sorry for him anymore. He chose this
Oh, I agree. It's almost a mark against him for me. Anyway, looking forward to rooting for the Yankees again Memorial Day weekend.