Old habits die hard, right? Well, Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington is clinging to his tried-and-true methods, even though stars like Mike Trout, and fans have already raised their dissatisfaction on those steps. There hasn’t been much change on the team side – the 2024 season has been anything but smooth sailing for the Angels. With 99 losses so far, they’ve set a franchise record for all the wrong reasons, and there are still a few games left to play on the charts.

With the way they’ve been playing, it’s looking likely that the Angels can be hitting that dreaded 100-loss mark. As concerns grow about the future, players like Mike Trout are calling for a lineup shake-up. Before Thursday’s showdown against the Chicago White Sox, manager Ron Washington faced these questions and spoke about possible free agency moves. So, will there be any big additions to the team?

Are the Halos getting a refreshed lineup?

Well, the chance of that happening seems pretty low. As per reports, Ron was pretty candid in his response, noting that the team doesn’t expect any additions of that caliber. The manager also mentioned, “I’m not the one that makes that decision, but I can tell you, we’re not going to make acquisitions like that.” Talking about big-time acquisitions, Ron made it clear how the financial aspect is a huge factor —  for instance, bringing in a pitcher who demands a $30 million salary. So, it sounds like the Angels won’t be pursuing big contracts anytime soon. But given their history, keeping an open mind might be wise.

Losing superstar Shohei Ohtani to the cross-town Dodgers has been hard on the team. Plus, with Mike Trout sidelined for a good chunk of the season due to injury, the pressure has shifted to the younger players—but they haven’t quite stepped up as needed. With the offseason approaching, Washington gave out some of the future plans: “I think you’ve always got to look in every area; I think we just got to wait and evaluate the team and see what’s out there.” Hinting at evaluations for players—from pitchers and basemen to everyone in the bullpen, Ron wants to make the best out of what they have, instead of adding players. Meanwhile, Mike Trout might not be exactly thrilled about this approach—the champ has been vocal about wanting free-agent additions for some time now.

Mike Trout is not satisfied with the Los Angeles Angels’ steps ahead

The last few seasons have been a rough ride for both Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels. With his injury woes and the team’s losing streak, normally not one to air complaints, Trout has recently called out team owner Arte Moreno, saying, “It’s all up to the owner. I think that’s where we’re at.” But it’s not about playing the blame game for the 31-year-old, he has actively voiced his requests and advice for a better team performance. Trout believes a couple of key offseason additions could’ve made all the difference.

But those moves didn’t materialize, and manager Ron Washington made it clear that significant changes aren’t on the horizon anytime soon. The odds seem stacked against the Angels, but here’s the catch: Washington has only one season left on his contract. Whether the team will choose to keep him long-term remains uncertain, with the manager being brought in to help steer the Halos through rough waters. But considering the lackluster results, things may or may not end in his favor.

Mike Trout’s contract extends until he’s 39. He has several years left with the Angels; even if the Angels don’t snag any big-name players, it’s crucial for them to start making smarter decisions to build out their roster. After all, it’s been a decade since Los Angeles made the postseason, and the fans are getting restless. What do you think; will Ron’s offseason plans turn the tide, or should the team start taking Mike Trout’s advice to heart? Drop your thoughts in the comments.