Is Mike Trout on the Move? Five Teams the Star Outfielder Could Be Playing for Next Season.
The Los Angeles Angels got the attention of the baseball world this week when they announced their willingness to trade star outfielder Mike Trout if he wishes to play elsewhere. While it’s unclear at this time if a move will happen, it got baseball fans thinking of where Trout could play next. With that all being said, I thought of five teams that could be a good fit for Trout’s possible new home.
Honorable Mention: Los Angeles Dodgers
There’s one main reason the Dodgers aren’t in my top five, and that is because of Angels’ owner Arte Moreno’s unwillingness to do business with them. A perfect example of this was when he announced during this season that if he were to trade superstar and pending free agent Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers would not be getting him. Nonetheless, it’s still cool to think about Trout in the Dodgers’ outfield alongside Mookie Betts.
Team Number Five: New York Yankees
Like the Dodgers, there’s a reason that the Yankees aren’t higher on the list, and this one is pretty simple. The Yankees play in the American League, and the Angels should want to avoid playing Trout two series every year if they can help it. Regardless, how could you not have the Yankees on your list? Even though they’re having a rough season, they have always strived to win and go all out for the best players, and Trout certainly fits that criterion. Mike Trout donning the pinstripes in the same outfield as Yankees’ team captain Aaron Judge would be a dream come true for the fans in the Bronx.
Team Number Four: San Francisco Giants
Something even cooler than watching Mike Trout play in Yankee Stadium would be watching him play in beautiful Oracle Park. Headlined by Willie Mays and Barry Bonds, the Giants have a strong history when it comes to outfielders who can hit the baseball. Giants’ President Farhan Zaidi has gone all in for big names before, and despite coming up short most of the time, he’s always willing to go for a big name. With San Francisco currently lacking a true star hitter, expect Zaidi to make an extreme push to bring Trout to the Bay Area.
Team Number Three: Chicago Cubs
The Cubs come in at number three on my list for a few different reasons. To start, they’ve had a great season thus far, and currently hold the National League’s second wild-card spot. Like the Giants, they have some nice pieces on offense, but they lack a true star hitter. The Cubs have the prospect package to bring in a guy like Trout with all their trades in recent years as a rebuilding team. Team President Jed Hoyer could make a splash and bring Trout to the Windy City as the headline star of a Cubs team ready to compete for another title. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see him play in iconic Wrigley Field?
Team Number Two: San Diego Padres
The Padres are the final West Coast team on this list. Like the New York Yankees, they’ve had a disappointing season, but will always push to win no matter what. Team President and General Manager A.J. Preller has been known for making blockbuster moves in recent years, bringing in big-name players like Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove. Mike Trout would be the biggest name of all, and if there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s to not count out Preller when it comes to making a massive move.
Team Number One: Philadelphia Phillies
The number one team on my list makes too much sense. Despite growing up in New Jersey, Trout has always been a big Philadelphia sports fan. He’s attended many Philadelphia Eagles games in the past, including their Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots. Aside from that, the Phillies have everything you want in a Mike Trout suitor. Not only do they have the prospect package to trade, but they already have a star-studded lineup headlined by players like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto. Trout’s former teammate, Brandon Marsh, is also a key hitter in the Phillies’ lineup. Above all, this team went to the World Series last season and is looking to be a prime title contender for years to come.
So, there you have it. The whole saga will start with whether Mike Trout requests a trade or not, but it’s always fun to think of the possibilities. As one of the best players in recent baseball history, any team I mentioned would be getting a star athlete. Do you think Trout will request a trade and shake up the baseball world? I hope that you enjoyed this blog and will follow along for more sports stories I post in the coming months!
Links to articles that inspired me to write this blog:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38369441/report-angels-open-trading-mike-trout-wants-out
