It appears Mike Trout is set to return to his old position. The future Hall of Famer told reporters this morning that he hopes to be primarily a center fielder this season (links via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com and Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register). General manager Perry Minasian and skipper Kurt Suzuki are evidently aligned with that plan.
“I talked to (Suzuki). I definitely want to play center,” the three-time MVP said. “I told him I’ll play anywhere but obviously prefer center. It was good communication with him and Perry and they’re on board with it.” Suzuki said that Trout will also continue to see work in the corners during Spring Training but sounded broadly open to giving him significant playing time up the middle. “We’ll keep our options open, but he does prefer center, so we’ll take a look,” the manager told reporters.
It’s not completely out of nowhere, as Minasian said as far back as December that the team wasn’t closing the door on Trout getting some center field action. It seems that’ll be more than just part-time work, though it’s not clear how much of a defensive workload he’ll be able to log in his age-34 season.
That was the impetus for moving Trout off center field a year ago. The Angels felt the position was putting too much physical stress and contributing to his unfortunate series of injuries. Trout didn’t play a single inning up the middle last season. He moved to right field and started 22 games before sustaining a bone bruise in his left knee. He missed most of May and was a full-time designated hitter for the remainder of the season.
Trout disagreed with the premise that right field was any less of a physical burden. “Honestly, I felt like when I was in center, it was less on my body,” he said today. “Right field felt like I was running a lot. It’s just a preference thing. Talking to some other outfielders, they feel the same way sometimes, that center is less on your legs. I just feel more confident in center.” Although Trout didn’t have a huge sample of right field work off which to base that assessment, it’s hardly surprising he feels more comfortable with his reads at a position where he has more than 11,000 innings of experience.
At his age and with a history of lower body injuries, Trout is unlikely to be a plus defensive center fielder. He remains a slightly above-average runner at full speed, so he could probably play close to average defense. That’d be a marked improvement over Jo Adell, who was one of the worst defensive center fielders in MLB and should be a right fielder. Whether Trout can stay healthy is the much bigger question, though it’s perhaps notable that many of his recent injuries have come either as a hitter or while running the bases.
Playing Trout in center would allow the Halos to use Adell and Josh Lowe primarily in the corners. They’d have Jorge Soler mostly in the DH role. Trout will surely still see a fair bit of DH action as semi-rest days. Soler would draw into a corner on those occasions with either Adell or Lowe moving to center in what would be a lackluster defensive group. Bryce Teodosio is the best defensive outfielder on the roster but has hit like a fifth outfielder. Jose Siri is in camp on a minor league deal as an alternative to Teodosio for an all-glove depth role. Prospect Nelson Rada is likely ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season but might be the team’s best all-around center field option by midseason.
Trout has five seasons remaining on his $360MM extension. He’ll make $35.45MM per season between 2026-30.
Good, He’s the only CF they have and most players hit better when they are not DHing.
He could play five more years if he was smart and willing to play LF and DH. But ego and smart don’t always go hand in hand..
Huh? Trout is one of the most humble guys in baseball.
Trout is so humble he would rather miss the playoffs every year to be loyal instead of winning a ring
When he retires he will be the new Mr Angel (sorry Tim salmon)
stnmf: “When he retires he will be the new Mr Angel ”
Hopefully, whoever owns the team in the future will understand Mr’ Trout’s place in team history (and baseball history) enough to put a bronze statue of the man up in Angels stadium.
prov356… You don’t like the word “ego”? Ok. How about stubborn? Either way, insisting on playing a position where you’ve continually been injured is shortsighted. If he wants to keep playing, he needs to let go of who he was 5 years ago and figure out how to stay on the field.
He literally played right field last year and got hurt there too. If he feels more comfortable in center and plays better defense there than in right (he was atrocious) then it makes sense. People love to hate on this guy for the dumbest reasons
rondon – “playing a position where you’ve continually been injured”. If you pay attention, He does not in fact have that history. He also doesn’t have a history of injuries that are prone to or are made worse by playing CF. He is not really less productive when he plays more games. Find some data to support what you are saying. I don’t think it exists. He is much more valuable to the Angels as a CF. He will still be at risk to a HBP among other things. That’s why I was against the move to RF,
Living in Newport Beach lessens the sting of playing for the Angels….
rondon – I have no problem with the word “ego” when properly used in the correct context. The majority (if any) of Trout’s injuries did not occur as a direct result of him playing center field. And as stated over and over again by everyone including who had the conversation with him, he did not demand anything. He let his CF preference be known and said he would play wherever he is needed. That is the definition of a humble team player.
@prov356 exactly the hamate bone is from batting it comes from the knob on the bat that rubs on that particular bone it caused the break. It was a freak injury the rest were lower leg and back issues from getting old. I guess it was from age issues. Trout was healthy last year now his bat slipped. He has value at cf in a crap free agent class, and they clearly weren’t spending. So it makes sense Trout has no ego, and is in the dugout injured. Rendon goes home collected checks and was a ghost that’s ego.
I mean there is at least some logic to him knowing how to play cf better than rf. If he’s getting poor reads and having to try to make up for it that could lead to injury. Though he should probably just play first at this point…
nacho – I agree. And playing right field means a ton more running because he has to chase after fowl balls, he has to back up 1b for over throws, etc. CF is where he should be.
@OppsIf you would have read the article. Trout said he felt he did more running when he played RF.
@rondon At most. Anything other than DH’ing is absurd, really.
He’s in the ‘made of glass’ stage of his career and has been for 5 years.
Injury wise, would you care to tell me the difference between LF and CF. Care to provide evidence?
@halo11fan. No evidence besides trolls he could trip getting out of car at this point, and people will say it was because he played CF. He played the field last year, and was healthy. His numbers dropped batting wise, but he has the contract, and is the best option. You could’ve got Bader and he’s up and down in his career and probably heading towards a decline.
@halo11fan. Looks like trumbo was right, but he was saying it before they added siri, and lowe. They might even bump soler out of the lineup to put trout there. Maybe lowe plays first to give schanuel some rest days.
I don’t see any of that. Schanuel hits LH the same way he hits RH and Josh Lowe has never played first.
Soler is going to play.
And Siri or Teodosi are the 5th outfielder.
@halo11fan. I didn’t say lowe was going to start. Rather see lowe play 10 games at 1st than soler playing the outfield. I dont think he will unless the whole outfield goes down. They do have some wiggle room. Think they will spilt lowe/siri and grissom/Frazier early in the season and see who’s performing better.
Are there data to support or refute this?
Paule, probably not. But I’m not making the claim the best CF on the team shouldn’t play CF because he might get hurt.
As an Angel fan, I can remember Downing and Upton getting seriously hurt in LF. Valentine, a non- CF, getting seriously hurt playing CF and Tim Salmon getting seriously hurt playing RF.
Maybe other Angel fans can remember more.
I really don’t see how playing CF is more prone to injury than playing the corners.
Bad Idea!
Angels should have moved Mike Trout off of CF years before they did it.
Mismanagement of Trout is making his physical breakdown even worse.
Mike Trout should be playing 1B/DH ONLY.
Otherwise, Trout will be collecting a huge check while he spends most of the rest of his contract and career on the IL.
Do you have an ounce of data why CF is worse than any of the other corners? and he’s NEVER been hurt actually playing CF.
My only concern with Trout playing CF is (and has been) his arm strength. It’s been a non factor for years, and runners know he doesn’t have one. Other than that, I love him in CF.
Getting his way because Zuk is a rookie manager. HA
@Jay- I think he’s earned it.
No Jay. He simply is the best option the Angels have for CF right now.
If Trout’s contract is insured I’m sure the Angels don’t mind him playing CF at all….
Trout back to CF for the 40 games he is healthy this season.
@skip’s. Thinking the same siri in center, and lowe in left in a couple months. Grissom to third when moancada gets hurt. Canderlario to DH when soler goes down. I guess its a bunch of lotto tickets, but its really not that bad. Its better than sano, calhoun, Duffy, jd Davis, and the 60 other turds I forgot about.
I wonder if RF felt more physically demanding simply due to age/injuries, im very interested to hear his thoughts after this season if hes in CF full time
He’s been getting hurt no matter what they’ve tried so might as well throw him out there.
Not like its going to cost them a playoff spot
Have they tried him full time at DH for more than a couple of weeks?
@baseball77. He doesn’t like playing DH. Last year was the only year he agreed to move off of center.
I guess he wants to contribute as much as possible by being in the field. I would think that he could stay healthy longer if he DH’d full time. If only the Angels could convince him that 100 games with only his bat would be more valuable than 50 games in center field.
@baseball77. He was healthy last year. The most games he had in five years. His bat slipped, and he likes to play center. Most of problem was the centerfielder market. Obviously wont spend more than 3 million for a centerfielder and trout was probably the best available so they decided to let him go back to his preferred spot.
RF felt less warish.
There signing trading for old washed up. Passing on the best players in the draft that are obvious must pick. Let Trout play SS if he wants. Let him gm and manage. It really doesn’t matter.
@AI he said he actually did more running in RF
If running is a problem just dh.
RF may have felt more demanding because Trout was in right all year with a complete butcher in Adell playing CF.
How many fly balls and liners to right-center that Trout had to chase last year would have been easy outs with a defensive-minded CF playing instead of Adell?
Yeah, true, guessing the way Trout plays RF is wildly different than say Nick Castellanos
He said in the article he felt like he did more running playing RF than he did in CF.
Yeah, but perception and reality can be different.
I think the person thats actually doing it would know.
He was involved in 30% fewer plays per game in RF. He ran less in RF.
Bitb
“He was involved in 30% fewer plays per game in RF. He ran less in RF.”
You know you can run and not be involved in a play, right?
Like backing up your teammate. Or going for a foulball or home run that ends up in the stands.
RF gets the least amount of action on average in the outfield. Whether or not that has any impact on his health is really a guess though. He’s obviously a lot more comfortable with the routes taken and seeing the ball off the bat in CF.
I trust the Angels to make the wrong decision here.
Not falling for it. Trick question. There is no wrong decision.
I didn’t ask a question.
I never said you did
Angels have already made numerous wrong decisions on Mike Trout through0ut his career.
He should have been move off CF years before it happened,
TRout playing 1B/DH like Bryce Harper in Phillie would have saved his body and kept him in the lineup instead of spending most of his time on the IL.
Owner Arte Moreno should have made the call.
He is signing the checks.
It is clear that the Front Office,Manager, Coaching Staff and Medical staff
are clueless and have not made the right decisions with Trout.
Trout going to have a big year! Center fielder for the All star game
Needed him there for Team usa though!
@AI. His insurance denied him. he wasn’t the only player. Ohtani can only bat.
Should get the same insurance all the guys who are playing have.
@AI. They denied all of the injury risks or big money deals. Ohtani is a exemption because he’s not pitching or playing the field.
The entire Angel outfield is unlikely to be a plus defensive outfield.
Honestly I don’t think Angels care what position he plays. They just want him on the field more often.
The problem is that when he plays in the field, he doesn’t stay healthy.
He seldom gets hurt playing the field. He gets hurt Swinging the Bat and running the bases.
@Halo- You are correct.
It’s that way with most players. CFers also only have one wall to run into while COFers have two to contend with. When you play CF you do not need to go chasing after every foul ball that ends up in the stands either
What about April 2024 when he ran in to the dugout in the third inning of a game against the Phillies?
“It was just after when I did activity when I sat down and got back up, that’s when I started to feel it,” he added. “I wasn’t feeling it hitting, I wasn’t feeling it running. It was just sore.“
1B and DH or IL
The Angels Stadium outfield is huge. One of the only (former) multi-use stadiums around. It’s a lot of ground to cover. I’m good with him being DH if they can get a whole year worth of swings out of him.
Angels Stadium was converted back to baseball only dimensions long ago so it can no longer be considered a multi-use facility.
Thus (former)
Skydome was the same for a long time.
Midway – Then there was no point in mentioning it if it is agreed that it is no longer a factor. I don’t know how Angels Stadium dimensions compare to the other 29 stadiums but for argument sake, let’s say it’s huge as you suggest compared to other ballparks. That fact that Angels Stadium used to be multi-use is irrelevant because it was converted back to single use dimensions.
Size of Angels outfield…21st.
Yeah but like 90% of that is center.
Is that a made up statistic? It’s one of the most shallow CF in baseball and you don’t have to worry about running into a foul territory wall.
Anyway…. He has never gotten hurt playing CF.
He has only gotten hurt while he was also playing CF that game. He has never had an injury while a DH.
After a thousand games in center and 100 at DH? Yeah I’d think he’d have his injuries playing center
His injuries have come swinging the bat, running the bases, and trotting between innings.
Never actually playing CF.
It’s obvious people know nothing about Trout or the Angels.
I think Trout should play where he wants to play if he’s feeling good. He has earned the ability to dictate and he knows he’s the best option they have there. He is right that moving him to the corner didn’t keep him any healthier. We don’t have another CF option. Adell is a joke on offense and defense. Everyone else is AAA caliber at best. Let Trout play CF until he can’t.
Adell hit 37 HR and was 11 percent better than league average last year. Not a star, but certainly not joke numbers. His defense is suspect, but last year was a step forward. For a team without a lot to look forward too, I’d think y’all would want to see him build on that, as overhyped as he was (which wasn’t his fault either btw) And I’m sorry man, but saying a player as injury prone as Mike Trout, has “earned the ability to dictate” where he plays, is a pretty wild take. They pay that guy tons every year, and it doesn’t serve anyone for him to play 92 games and miss 3 months. I’m a Mike Trout fan. He’s great for baseball….when he’s healthy. Playing CF is super reckless, so I’m sure he’ll be out there. Fingers crossed man.
He was a slightly above average hitter last year. Is that great for baseball? Let him play center and see if he can catch some lightning in a bottle. It’s not like it’ll cost the Angels a playoff spot. And it’s not like they have any other options for center.
Zac – Everyone always points to Adell’s homerun totals. I am someone who couldn’t care less about homeruns. When he isn’t hitting the ball out, he is usually striking out. I would rather have a player hit zero home runs but have a decent BA and OBP. Singles and doubles score runs more than the occasional dinger. So until Adell can improve his strike out rate, his BA, and his OBP, plus his defense, I believe the guy should be at AAA learning that stuff. I don’t blame him. The Angels ruined the kid by him never spending an entire season at any level of the minors.
As for Trout, the future HOFer, he can dictate where he plays.
” would rather have a player hit zero home runs but have a decent BA and OBP”
Luis Arraez? He had a 104 wRC+ last year.
Adelle had a 112 wRC+ last year.
“Singles and doubles score runs more than the occasional dinger.”
Depends on how many singles and doubles and how many dingers. Adell’s offense produced more than Arraez’.
“So until Adell can improve his strike out rate, his BA, and his OBP, plus his defense, I believe the guy should be at AAA learning that stuff.”
LOL
37 HR with a .485 slug are not joke numbers, whether he strikes out too much or not. Welcome to 2026 in the big leagues. Like I said, he’s not a star, but for a dumpster fire of a franchise, he’s one of your better players. As far Trout playing CF, you’re right, it won’t hurt anything on a bound for 4th place club, but if he has the ability to walk into the front office, with that injury history, and declare himself the CF, well then I think that speaks to state things there now doesn’t it? But do you, homer.
@zac. Adell is a decent RF. I doubt trout is dictating anything. The problem was the lack of center options. Trout likes center so its a easy fix with siri as the backup. I believe they can DH trout, sit soler. If siri or lowe aren’t hitting they can put soler in left for a little or grissom. If Frazier isn’t hitting they have moore. Keep in the mind its all cost effective deals so they have wiggle room. Angels aren’t spending so why get Bader or bellinger when you have trout.
@Prov 30+ Hr’s and 98 RBI’s Adell is a joke on offense?
i agree with you,PROV.he has earned the right to play where he wants.if he demands shortstop ,then we let him play shortstop.it wont matter either way,because at the end of the year it will be another 69 to 75 win season,no matter where he plays. so let him decide.while we are at it, we should let him make the batting order everyday.either way we are doomed.
slimray – The misleading theme is that he demanded to play CF. That’s false. He made his preference known and followed it up by saying he would play anywhere he is needed. I’ve told my bosses the same thing many times. FWIW, I predict 68 wins this season.
The Angels are a basket case. Huge market, huge payroll ability, MVP’s, great name, yet can’t make the playoffs since 2014 and have arguably the weakest farm system to show for it.
Starts at the top. Bottom 5 front office. Terrible owner. They draft horribly. Anthony Rendon. I mean, they aren’t the Rockies, but they kind of are the Rockies.
Huge payroll ability? Let’s see your NUMBERS. Real numbers. Total Revenue, pct on minors, pct on ml payroll, etc. Arte said they were on track to lose 40-50 million last year so where is all this money you CLAIM they have? PROVE IT. It’s OK we know you are talking out your butt because YOU DON’T HAVE A CLUE, nor do any of us.
I don;t know about huge payroll ability. They don’t have the ability to spend like Dodgers or Yankees, but they have had a top 10 payroll for years, but haven’t had a winning season since 2015. The A’s won more games then the Angels last year and that shouldn’t be the case.
I don’t necessary agree that they draft horribly. All teams draft similarly talented players, but the Angels lack the ability to develop talent especially when it comes to pitchers. This team used to be built around pitching, but that changed once Arte bought the team and they have been on a steady decline ever since. There have been some recent improvements but still no manifestation in MLB talent.
To Marcotor….Being in a position of contextual understanding I stand by my post. Ability and reality are two different scenarios, something you can relate to.
Say it isn’t so Mike. Angels fans want you at the plate more than the 55 games you averaged in 2023-2024 when you were still playing CF.
If Trout wants to catch, he should because it’s not likely to make a difference in the year-end team results.
I suppose that makes sense for now but I’d move him to DH as soon as they find a capable CF and move Soler off the team entirely unless he comes out the gate on fire. Sometimes you have to protect a player from themselves whether they like it or not.
I think it’s great that he wants to play there given they have no one better to do so. I will always pull for Trout…
Dale Murphy used to be on Braves games a few times a year, and he swore , that at least for him, playing CF was easier, than the other OF positions…. not every guy can’t continue to play the outfield once they hit 30. Guessing if Clemente was playing today, no way would he be allowed to play RF at 37
He also prefers to get paid this year. No more 25 games in CF and then back to your McMansion. Time to DH.
He’s obviously a hall of famer but this kind of crap is a part of the reason hes never been on a playoff team. He can’t play CF anymore. Selfishness wins over I guess
No one on this team can play CF.
Does any of these trolls actually know anything about Trout or the Angels?
Nope. They only wish he was on their team.
@For based on what?
I want to see at least a resemblance of the younger Trout, 30+ Hr 300BA
and a 153 games or more.
This team is all Scioscia’s fault…
No wait, Buzzie Bavasi…?
Mike Trout, the forgotten Hall of Famer
Please don’t let this happen. I hate how much of his career has already been lost to injury. I have no real feeling about the Angels as a whole, but I just want the guy to get back to being the monster that he was with the bat (even if it’s unrealistic to expect to see what he did a decade ago again.)
I think the amount of running in OF can also depend on the ballpark configuration and if other team line up is more left handed or more right handed. In Fenway, he might be best playing LF and Wrigley, DH because wouldn’t want to run into the bricks. LOL
Please Mike, play left field … less running, shorter throws, closer to the dugout. The Trout Farm would welcome you back! Be healthy, make safe choices, play more games. And Jo is good in RF and should be cemented there with his strong arm and continued development.
If Mike Trout wants to slide back into his old home in center field, let him. He’s a future Hall of Famer, the most loyal Angel of this era, and if he feels like he can cover center and bring that old spark back, then by all means give him the keys to center.
Let him feel at home again.
Good good good Good vibes.
Let him play where his instincts take over.
The Angels don’t have a true, bona fide center fielder right now. Until someone steps up and takes the job, Trout choosing center might actually stabilize the whole outfield.
If it’s a five‑man rotation or a six‑man rotation suddenly looks a lot more balanced. A healthy staff, Trout roaming center, and the rest of the roster shaking into place could change the entire tone of the season.
@johnny bravo. Yeah trout was the best centerfielder on the market. If arte is pinching the penny makes sense to slide trout to center. He never wanted to move anyway they tried that experiment, and it bombed. I think they did alright for pennies on the dollar just hope everything lines up.
Hud— If the Angels are going to shock the baseball world in 2026, it really comes down to one thing: health. Keep the core position players on the field, and suddenly this team looks a whole lot different.
We’ve actually got some talented arms now upside guys, rebound candidates, and a few who can flat out pitch if they stay on track. and if we get some run production we’re in good shape.
Honestly, I’m fired up for spring training. This roster is full of scrappy project players, castoffs from other teams who might click here, plus a wave of young minor‑league talent that’s hungry for a shot. It’s going to be a fun mix to watch.
If this group stays healthy and a few of these upside bets hit, don’t be surprised when the Angels start turning heads.
He’ll mostly be playing the IL
Easy there, Carlos15. Next time you try to cross into this conversation, make sure you use one of those new flashing light crosswalks the ones that light up the whole street. Wouldn’t want you wandering into traffic without hitting the button first
Just looked at his stats. 10 home runs and 14 RBI in 2024 is one of the most interesting lines I’ve ever seen. Batted leadoff in 6 of 29 games.
I like the sandlins, merckers, madrigals, back up is essential. Trout is good. Trout wants to be healthy, he is now. If hurt, rada can play
With Trout’s injury issues they’ll probably need a good backup CF. I hope from Trouts perspective he plays a full season. Got a kick out of him saying I’ll play where you want me to but basically I’m playing CF. Lol. Hope he has a nice healthy season.
The Angels would prefer if Mike Trout return to full health
I prefer to have his money or Justin Herbert’s girl, reality exists though
“…many of (Trout’s) recent injuries have come either as a hitter or while running the bases.” Does the team have a good trainer who neither undertrains or overtrains, and understands how to train properly for the specific – and unique – demands of MLB?
@Brad- You can have the best trainer in world. How is that going to prevent a injury that happens on the base paths or getting hit by a pitch? It’s part of the game.. Mikey Mantle ruined his knee in the outfield when his spike got caught in a rubber drain cover.
Yea this will end well
Over/under 70 Games for Trout in 2026?
80
@Jesus- You really thought those comments were going to fly in here? The next you’re funny will be the first time. Even your user name is questionable.
Spirit willing, cell structures weak.
Knowing Anaheim they’ll let him do it.
Let the man play wherever he likes. He is the angels
The way this team is built why not. I would rather have him DH and swing the bat. Trout is the only reason to watch a game now days. Hopefully he realizes that and tries to take it easy in the field and just tosses baseballs to kids. I remember when he announced he was going to steal bases again in 24. Watched him hurt his knee stealing second on #6 and only played 29 games that year.
When Mike Trout says he wants to play CF, you agree with him. The best player in franchise history and the best player of this era gets his way. Many of you have never seen Trout as a regular because of you memorize meaningless advanced statistics and repeat meaningless stats without ever watching a complete game. He still has his upper percentile speed and can mash a baseball as hard as any one. I’ve never seen any hitter not named Mike Trout destroy pitches low in zone as him. Other than Barry Bonds or Darryl Strawberry or Eric Davis, I have never seen a more complete outfielder in my lifetime. He needs to be named Captain. I just wish he would settle with more singles this season to get his batting average to usual lifetime norms. When Trout is really playing like Mike Trout that average always stays above >.300. I feel he will be back with a vengeance this season and you can pencil him for the MVP and most improved player award. He is the Dan Marino of baseball.
Do you? He’s paid a ton and misses many games. Do you automatically grant this wish because he’s Mike Trout?
Realman: I vote no. His per game played salary is probably huge. He should play LF and DH to save his legs.
This is easy and obvious.
Trout really isn’t *that* old – he’s the same age as Aaron Judge and Marcus Semien – guys that play the field every day. So he *should* be able to play CF for 110+ games and DH for another 25+ games.
That means one day per week at DH and one day off each week.
This also simplifies the lineup.
It all comes to down to health, not just for Trout, but for Moncada, Soler, and Lowe, too.
If they can remain somewhat healthy, the lineup is actually pretty good.
If they can’t – and recent history doesn’t bode well – it’ll be another long season.
And Trout’s position won’t matter.
Trout must really enjoy losing. Unbelievable he didn’t ask for a trade long ago. These days no clubs will be interested since his performance has disappeared and his salary is an albatross.
Like most 34 year olds he does not cover the ground he once did. But he’s probably still better defensively than anyone else they have except for Teodosio who doesn’t hit much. On a losing team though it probably doesn’t matter.who plays CF.
Would love to see him in a Giants uniform somehow someway
Angels should trade Trout. Give one of the best players in his era a chance to play for a winner before his body breaks down or Father Time comes calling.
Phillies, Cubs or D-Backs would be good landing spots.
Trout is unfortunately Griffey 2.0 with regards to how injuries have affected his career. Still a future HOFer, but he’s hardly an annual MVP candidate anymore.
With his injury history DH is where he should be.
Por primera vez juega 130 partidos y fue pq estaba como designado. Debieron cambiarlo. El no puede ser tan tonto de no entender q deber DH para q esté sano.
El es muy terco. No quiere cambiar.
On the IL by May 15.
For the love of baseball, trade Trout out of California already. The Angels staff of batting machines are an argument for completely removing outfield fences, for the health and safety of whomever patrols left, center, and right.
He’s been average/below average defensively in CF for 5 years. Quit the charade already.
I am seemingly always against owners meddling with managers/executives whom they pay to have baseball IQ’s but Moreno needs to step in here as the money man. 5 years left on this deal and they can’t have the guy playing 20-60 games a season with that kind of money on the line after they got Rendon’d like they did. Suzuki being a new manager is probably not wild about telling a future hall of famer where he can and can’t play so someone needs to do it.
Angels acquire:
– Johan Rojas CF
– Raylin Heredia OF (#29)
– Felix Reyes 3B/1B (#31)
– Andrew Walling LHP (#43)
Phillies acquire:
– Reid Detmers LHP
– Caden Dana RHP
Angels get a fast, reliable glove first CF. Rojas has been coached up, is only 25 years old and could excel as a part time player – in a mostly defensive type role. Anaheim also adds a few upper minor league prospects to a depraved farm system. Phillies deploy Detmers in that swing/long role that they gave Joe Ross $4M to serve last year. Dana is optioned to AAA and the NJ native is rebranded as a 7th/8th inning setup guy at Lehigh Valley.
Yeah….that is a hard NO from an Angel fan persepctive
I hope trout realize that he needs to shift to RF,LF or DH.
Mike Yrout wants to be a fire truck, last I heard.
Is his contract insured? Because if it is the Angels might want him in CF and might want to green light him on the bases.
I am starting a rumor. The Angels cut Trout to free him because nobody other than dodgers and Mets can take on that contract. Then he signs with the Yankees to play CF. The Yankees trade Grisham for a bullpen arm in July. The Yanks trade for Nico Hoerner at the deadline. And off my mind races……
Like Grandpa used to say, “The Tail is Wagging” the Dog @ Angel Stadium.
Big Waste of money that 300M+given to Trout in the later stages of his contract..
Mike is too old and injury prone to play CF or RF.
I love Trout as a player, BUT GET SERIOUS!
Trout should be playing 1B and DH to save his body so he can
play fulltime and get 600 ABs every year for his team.
Arte Moreno should be talking to his POB, GM and Mike Trout
and lay down the law.
Tell Mike that everyone especially the fans love him
.
But, playing MIke T in the OF may mean that he will be on the IL a lot and fans may have to catch glimpses of him sitting on the bench for extended periods of time over the next many years.
because his body is breaking down,
He is not 24 years old anymore,
Father time is catching up with Mike Trout.
As it is, the Angels played Mike Trout too many years in CF that took too much wear and tear on his body and contributed to his current rash of injuries.
It is painful to watch a veteran player who refuses to accept his own limitations and a Front Office and Coaching staff just keeps running him out there to play a position he can no longer play without his body breaking down with series injuries.
Mike Trout needs an Angel family intervention including: Ownership, Medical Staff, Training Staff, Coaches, Manager, Front Office etc…
It is painful to watch the Angels mismanage Mke Trout and contribute to turning him into a shell of his former MLB MVP player that he once was,
Another Day, Another Gut Punch from Arte Moreno
I was finally getting excited for spring training… and then Arte Moreno found a way to pop my balloon again.
I just prescribed to the MLB Angels TV $99.99
MLB will broadcast regular season games per multiple reports, the Angels won’t broadcast any spring training games this spring
Every other team finds a way to get their fans a look at the kids, the new faces, the early vibes. But not us. Not Arte’s Angels.
Once again, we’re left in the dark while the rest of baseball moves forward.
Once again, the owner ghosts the fanbase and shrugs off the basics like letting fans actually watch their team.
It’s embarrassing.
That is strange as I signed up too after it said they will throw in spring games for free as a bonus.
The “Adell vs. Trout” Marketing Phenomenon
If Jo Adell hits 50 HRs and Mike Trout hits 49, you create a “friendly rivalry” narrative that hasn’t been seen since the 1961 “M&M Boys” (Mantle and Maris).
Superstardom for Adell: Adell would become the most marketable athlete in Southern California. His journey from “struggling prospect” to “50-homer king” is a movie script. Nike, Gatorade, and Topps would make him the face of the sport alongside Shohei Ohtani.
The “Trout Legacy” Reborn: This season would end the “Trout is being wasted” narrative forever. It would likely propel him past several Hall of Famers in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in a single summer, making him a consensus Top-5 player of all time before he even retires.
The “Ohtani Comparison” Re-examined
The national media (ESPN, Fox Sports) would spend the entire season debating how the Angels got better after losing Shohei Ohtani.
The Narrative: They would credit the “depth over stars” approach. By not having $700 million tied up in one player, they were able to build a rotation (Soriano, Rodriguez, Detmers) and a deep lineup where the #9 hitter (Christian Moore) is a 20-HR threat.
The Financial Blueprint: The “Post-RSN” Windfall
The Angels’ current TV situation (having left Bally/FanDuel Sports) is a point of stress. However, 120 wins changes the math:
TV Rights: A team this historic would likely command a deal worth $150M–$200M annually. Media giants like Amazon or Apple would bid aggressively to own the exclusive rights to a “dynasty in the making.”
The Payroll Trap: To keep this team together (Adell, Neto, O’Hoppe, Soriano, and Moore) for the next four years, the Angels would eventually have to exceed a $300 million payroll.
Adell’s Extension: After a 50-HR season, Adell would likely seek a contract in the $300M–$400M range.
Neto’s Value: As a 30/30 shortstop, Zach Neto would be looking at a $250M+ extension.
The 2026 Trade Deadline “Final Piece”
Even with a 120-win pace, GMs always look for a “security blanket.” If Grayson Rodriguez is on the DL, the Angels would use their suddenly-valuable prospect capital to land a “Rental Ace.”
Potential Target: Imagine the Angels trading for someone like Tarik Skubal or Logan Gilbert at the deadline.
The Reaction: The rest of the league would be in an uproar. The media would call it “unfair,” similar to when the 2017 Warriors added Kevin Durant