When I watch sports, nothing bothers me more than wasted talent. For years Andrew Luck had a defensive head coach, an awful offensive line, and one of the worst overall rosters in the NFL. It has grinded my gears because no one appreciated just how good he was. Now he has an offensive coach, a competent offensive line, and improved roster and Luck has predictably established himself as a top 5 quarterback.
Enter Mike Trout. The Angels outfielder is the second best player in baseball in a sport that is missing a face. Some could argue that is Bryce Harper but sorry, he’s not even that good. You’re telling me the face of baseball hits .249? Please… Anyway, Trout has done nothing but produce. Trout has hit at least .306 in three straight years. In 7 years as a full-time starter, Trout has never hit less than 27 homers (39 this past year). Trout reached base an unreal 46 percent of the time. There’s just one problem.
The Angels stink. They have become nothing more than a wasteland. What’s even more disgusting is there are a big market wasteland. Los Angeles has fair weather fans so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised but still. This team stinks. The Angels have not made the playoffs since 2014. They have failed to win more than 85 games in four straight years finishing under .500 the last three. The baseball voters had to even hand Trout a fraudulently MVP award despite the fact that it’s impossible to be the most valuable player on a 4th place team but that’s a story for another day. It’s simple, Trout’s talents are being wasted.
There is nothing the Angels can do to catch the Astros in 2019. Forget the Astros, The Angels could add a catcher, first baseman, an outfielder, and two starting pitchers and they still fall well short of the Red Sox, Yankees, and Indians. Their farm system already sucks. They are also hamstrung by still paying a washed up Albert Pujols $28 million this upcoming season. The Angels have holes everywhere! Outside of Andrelton Simmons, they don’t have another productive player on the roster. There’s only one way for the Angels to return to prominence. Trade Mike Trout and tank.
Okay, Angels hardos. Let me ask you this. The team has two years of control on Trout. They have virtually no shot in 2019. This time next year you have one year on control on Trout on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 5 years. Don’t you think Trout is already sick of losing? The general manager is going to get fired if he misses the playoffs again so why wouldn’t you try to rebuild. Screw being afraid. Keep in mind that Trout is from the South Jersey area. Odds are that he wants to play for the Phillies considering that he’s shown up to multiple Eagles games over the years. Can’t say the same for the Rams… LA fans stink anyway so who could blame him. It’s time to move on.
The best course of action is to trade him to the Phillies. Trout wants to play in Philly. That’s his hometown team. When he hits free agency, all things being equal, Philly is going to be the destination. Try for a package that includes Rhys Hoskins and five other players. Why wouldn’t you? Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Roman Quinn, Aaron Nola, Enyel De Los Santos, and Seranthony Dominguez are all young players you can target from the major league roster. That doesn’t include other in their farm system that have talent.
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There are other teams that would be willing to make monster offers. You can’t include the Yankees because Brian Cashman would hoard a seven-week-old bar of soap. Atlanta, Chi Sox, Milwaukee, among others could be real players. How about a deal that starts with Ozzie Albies? I don’t care how they go about it. It’s time for the Angels to move on. It’s the right move for the fans and their own franchise.
