The out-of-contention Angels have arguably wasted another year of control over baseball’s best player, center fielder Mike Trout, with whom they still haven’t even won a playoff game since his rookie campaign in 2012. But even though Trout’s team control is dwindling (2019 is the penultimate year of his contract), the Angels should continue trying to win with the future Hall of Famer – not trade him – Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times opines. While Trout would warrant a massive return in a trade, Shaikin argues that even the best prospects aren’t sure bets to produce in the majors or avoid injuries, using the package the White Sox received from the Red Sox for Chris Sale in 2016 as an example.
Of course, as opposed to shopping Trout – which, despite the Angels’ struggles, has always looked incredibly improbable – the Halos could try to keep him for the long haul. Trout is fond of Anaheim, Shaikin notes, though he writes that there aren’t any compelling reasons for the player to ink a contract extension now. Asked Friday about the possibility of signing a new deal, Trout told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register: “I don’t know. It’s up to them. Obviously you’ve got to finish out the season and worry about it in the offseason. I don’t want to worry about it right now.” Trout added that his main objective is to win, and while that hasn’t happened in Anaheim, he didn’t throw its front office under the bus. Rather, he rightly suggested that injuries have played a huge role in the Angels’ disappointing season.
Here’s the latest on a couple other West-based teams:
- Twenty-year-old Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna may be on his way to joining Trout as an elite player, which is a difficult reality for the Diamondbacks, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic explains. The Venezuelan-born Acuna signed with the Braves for a $100K bonus four years ago, but before that, the Diamondbacks believed they were on the verge of adding him for $80K. Junior Noboa, the Diamondbacks’ vice president of Latin American operations, revealed to Piecoro that the two sides reached an agreement in the Dominican Republic. However, rules state a player must officially sign in his home country, and by the time Acuna returned to Venezuela, the Braves had made a stronger offer, according to Noboa. “They accepted it before I could come back with another offer,” Noboa said of Acuna’s camp. Acuna disagrees with Noboa’s version of the story, as he said through an interpreter Thursday: “There was a difference between what was promised and what was eventually settled upon. They gave me an initial number and then afterwards that wasn’t it. That’s why I wasn’t on board with signing.” Regardless, as Piecoro notes, Acuna was not a superstar prospect when he chose Atlanta over Arizona. Thus, whether he’d have developed into the player he is now had he signed with a different team is anyone’s guess.
- The Giants would be wise to re-sign upcoming free agents Nick Hundley and Derek Holland, opines The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, who writes that re-upping the former “figures to be a top priority” (subscription required). Hundley’s approaching the end of his second season in San Francisco, where he has backed up star catcher Buster Posey. It’s no surprise the Giants are prioritizing the position, though, considering Posey underwent season-ending hip surgery last month and could miss the start of next year. Offensively, the 35-year-old Hundley has made a case for a new deal by hitting a passable .235/.294/.407 (90 wRC+) in 245 PAs. On the other hand, Baseball Prospectus has Hundley ranked among the majors’ worst defensive backstops this season. Holland, a minor league signing last winter, has been a major bargain for the Giants. After his career went into a tailspin with the Rangers and White Sox from 2015-17, the soon-to-be 32-year-old has bounced back to log a 3.54 ERA/3.87 FIP with 8.96 K/9 and 3.54 BB/9 in 152 2/3 innings (31 appearances, 27 starts).
What the Angels should do with Trout is what the Yankees did with Chapman. Trade him for a haul then re-sign him. Obviously prospects aren’t guaranteed to pan out but Trout is guaranteed to be a free agent before the Angels can contend again.
If Trout gets traded and then gets a taste of winning, I doubt he’d resign with the Angels unless they’re a proven contender
Angels trade Trout for MLB ready pitching and position players they could be set to contend.
Imagine trading Trout to the Braves or White Sox.
Braves pairing Trout with Acuna would be insane. But 2 years of trout wont come cheap.
But angels getting back-
Wright
Allard
Fried or Touissant
Wentz
Plus maybe like Inciarte and another prospect or 2
Would be huge for the angels
i’m not a angels fan but that would be easily over matched by many other teams. soroka, Wright, Anderson, Riley, and Toussaint would be the asking price. Angels will not trade him however because their owner is impatient in building and wants to buy players.
There aren’t too many teams that can offer up elite/great talent MLB ready pitching like the Braves and White Sox can. Which is what the Angels desperately need.
The Angels can easily trade for Starlin Castro or sign a 2B in the off season. And a 3B. Calhoun and Upton filling out the corners means Inciarte just replaces Trout in CF.
You can argue which pitching should be included, but getting at least 3 top 50ish MLB ready pitchers from the Braves plus Inciarte and whatever else would be a huge haul and would retool the Angels rather than rebuild them.
They can also sign find a 1B on the market.
Pitchers are arguably the most volatile players to build around. Your blockbuster revolves around a pitcher based package, if the angels were to traded trout acuna would have to be in there or albies. Angels arent stupid.
They don’t need a 3B, though
Trout trade would START with Acuna
Well the Braves are not stupid either. You they are going to offer Acuna in a package for Trout? Dream on
Then they won’t get Trout.
A trout trade STARTS with albies and acuna, and that’s just the start of it.
or a 2B really
Yeah I think I’d rather have Albies and Acuna for many years cheaply than 2 years of Trout at 35 mil per year. I feel like people forget that Trout isn’t being paid the league minimum anymore
That’s a horrible trade on the Angels side.
That would be a lot to give up for any player even if it’s trout. Would love to see him on the Braves but I don’t think either team would do that trade.
Exactly why trout won’t be traded
Branden belt of giants
Can be traded
Giants not have mlb outfielders
Non
You are an optimist!! I like it!!
If what you are saying is true, that Trout won’t sign with the Angels, then they should definitely trade him. The alternative is to lose him for nothing but a draft pick in 2 years.
Tony La Russa and their previous GM would have ruined Acuna.
Even with the worst injury season in modern baseball the Angels has a playoff level run differential.
Their core is very good. Ohtani, Simmons, Skaggs, Heaney barria and obidouly Trout.
They have a top 5 prospect and 3-4 top 100 guys. And money coming off the books.
Yes the last couple years have been rough, but if you look forward as everyone is saying, they are pretty well equipped with equalized injury luck moving forward.
I’m predicting a 10/380 this offseason and the team to buyout pujols, replace Scossia and for the team to genuinely feel like epplers next year.
Thank you for this! First smart person on here lol! Although you forgot upton, and fletcher to that mix. Although i think 380 is a bit low i think they will do 425 with it being front loaded. Then dfa pujols or send him somewhere and half his salary with prospect capital. Angels roster is very good i expect bullpen and pitching to be addressed in offseason.
Albert is respected far too much to be DFA’d or traded for salary relief. Not saying that isn’t the smart move, just saying it’s super unlikely with this front office. The best we can hope for is an early retirement where he is bought out and remains with the org in a PR role. The bigger likelihood is that he plays out the last few yrs in a reduced role with greatly diminished production.
I bet they add a year 4 or 5 opt out which might make the contract price slightly lower.
Thats why I believe that if Scossia steps down we will see a flurry of moves that would have been inconceivable in the previous era. Theres a 10mm personal services clause and they might find a graceful way to get him in the org early or something as an assistant GM or something.
Id book Eric Chavez as manager too.
Don’t think Sciosica has much say in roster decisions so Im not sure his absence will trigger an extreme shake-up. Arte won’t cut big Al so it’s a moot point.
Chavo is certainly an option (maybe even the top one) but I do think they’ll complete a thorough search for the next field general. There’s Asmus, Bard, Girardi, Raul Ibanez, Joe McEwing, amongst many others.
Since Ohtani seems like he’ll play in the OF next year, there’s less of a rush to kick out Albert and open up the DH. Maybe move him in 2020
Some truly bizarre spelling of Mike Scioscia’s name.
Albert already has a personal services contract with the Angels for 10 years after the 10 year player contract is over. There is no way he walks away from $90 million left on his contract. It is a very delicate situation that I don’t envy the Angels’ front office trying to deal with it. As for trading him there is no market. It is so obvious that he has nothing left. The only possibility would be St Louis but the Angels would probably have to pay 90-95% of the remaining contract.
The Angels need to go all out to win in 2019. If they fail then trading Trout has to be on the table. Personally, I don’t see Trout signing with any other team except the Phillies.
I had the impression that it’s DH or nothing for Ohtani next year, as they really, really don’t want him to throw on D now.
Pujols will lose a single penny in a buyout. This isnt the NBA. Plus Pujols sold his legacy for that 240 million. Pujols equates money with respect.
What I mean is he won’t accept a buyout for less money than his contract. He will collect every penny of it. If the Angels don’t like it, tough.
I’d love for Trout to be a Halo for life and, like you, think its in the realm of possibility. Even if he falls off a cliff like (ala Pujols) I don’t think I’d be nearly as frustrated. It’s one thing to overpay a loyal player who’s become synonymous with the franchise. It’s entirely different to pay a mercenary top dollar for a job he did elsewhere.
We need some durable pitching for 2019, Keuchel would be nice. Managerial decision should be interesting as well
The idea the Keuchel is durable or even consistent is hilarious….. he’s declined since his CY Young and has done better recently but was a disaster at the beginning of the season.
Lol, look at the numbers. He’s been a model of consistency since 2014 (FIP between 2.91-3.87 with an avg of 3.48). Pretty durable as well with an avg 29 GS and 190 IP if he finishes this season as projected.
They’d have to pay Trout way more than that to extend him and Pujols isn’t going to accept a buyout for one cent less than what he is entitled to in his contract.
Yeah Albert is padding his stats, I really can’t imagine him taking some kind of buyout where he is getting less money. Makes no sense to take a buyout when you have guaranteed money coming your way. Maybe if his playing time is threatened? Even still I don’t see that happening
“It’s up to them”, that sounds like he’s willing to sign an extension if the Angels are willing to make a viable offer… I’m guessing (hoping) he re-ups after Machado and Harper sign their FA deals.
Seen this before “it’s up to them”means make this team better or I’m outta here!
Saying “it’s up to them” means nothing. Players say that all the time and then don’t sign extensions.
Trout for Blake Swihart….who says no?
Red Sox duh. Angels would have to throw in Ohtani as well.
Trout and Ohtanni…..that might get the Rays to give up Refsnyder…..
The future Hall of Famer?
Which future HOFer? Swihart or Refsnyder? I mean, that Trout kid has got a shot, BUT……….
You forgot a first born child!
Lol,No
Two really important signing.
If Trout wants to be on a winning organization, than its very safe to say he is gone.
Holland has pitched great in SF
I agree. Holland, at the very least, was an innings eater at the back end of the rotation. Hundley’s defense at times was deplorable, especially his throwing. If Garcia shows well this month, he should at least get a shot at the back up role.
The angels should really trade trout. They has been suggested not only by me but many others for the last 3-4 years. The longer of control he has; the money valuable pieces they can get and rebuild quickly.
Feel they need to trade him for young talent now.
I like the Chapman comparison
Re-sign him after a team reset for the year he is away.
OR
Move a majority of your existing current players and place younger talent around him.
Astros/A’s like
Would you consider a Trout for deGrom scenario?
Wright, Touki, Allard, Pache, Riley & Inciarte for Trout & Bedrock Jr ????
Done deal at winter meetings
It’s not like The Angels haven’t tried to make a run for The Playoffs, it’s the fact that every player they had in the opening day line-up, and over half of their starting rotation have at least one 10-Day DL stint.
The author said “The out-of-contention Angels have arguably wasted another year of control over baseball’s best player, center fielder Mike Trout, with whom they still haven’t even won a playoff game since his rookie campaign”
As a mariner fan, we went, and are going thru the same thing with Felix; who may never see a playoff game the way things are going. So if one of the great pitchers of his time can suffer; so can Trout and his fans:)
So Angel fans, suck it up- no whining about: mike trout, blah, blah, mike trout, blah, blah.
Atleadt he’s had A playoff game.
My hopeful dyslexia read the headline as Trout and Acuna to Giants for Hundley and Holland.
Hot take- IF Trout were to be traded, his return would be much smaller than everyone thinks.
I don’t see the Braves trading Acuna + top guys, seeing as how Acuna is becoming a star in his own right.
Teams aren’t trading multiple elite young established players, you can maybe see three top 5 guys and some lower guys, but no flat out emptying of rosters for Trout. As amazing as he is, he’s still one player, and the Angels don’t know how to build around him.
Exactly! Angels are completely clueless on how to build around him…. Lost! And that’s not an option that’s a fact. Look at last 3 years. The scoreboard and standings don’t lie PERIOD
Angels should of never signed Pujols, should of taken that money and invested into their farm system. Farm systems is where these good young teams like Astros, Braves and Phillies are going to be good for a long time unless they screw it up and trade all these prospects for say a Trout and give him all that cash, tying your front office hands for many seasons like the Angels did with Pujols.
Sale has more than lived up to expectations (best SP in the AL, probably in the entire league. The White Sox should have held out for more for Sale. I remember all the belly aching from “Saux” fans about Sale not being worth their top prospects. Meanwhile, the prospects they give up never amount to anything. Yankees fit thst description too.
I’m reading all these and dont understand how anyone would even suggest that the Angels trade the best player in baseball. They are not going to get anything close to what he brings to the table every night. They need to pay the man and continue to build around him. The team, even with all the injuries, hold a respectable run differential. They have young talent but have been ravished with injuries. Trading Trout is not the answer.
Because they aren’t going to make the playoffs in 2019 or 2020 and trading him for prospects would be better than losing him for nothing but a draft pick after the 2020 season.
That’s definitely going out on a limb
The idea that trading a player for prospects (likely several very good ones in Trout’s case) is better than losing him for nothing is not going out on a limb. And how do you suppose the Angels will contend in 2019 or 2020?
Trout gonna be a Phillie in 2021
Braves should offer a ridiculous package for Trout. Two top pitching prospects plus Austin Riley. They could have Trout and Acuna in the outfield …
Not getting a 10 WAR for a couple of prospect arms and Riley. He’s on pace to be arguably the best player ever, and in his prime.
Again, a Trout trade to the Braves starts with Acuna.