“It’s All Upto the Owner”: Mike Trout Issues a Wake Up Call for Angels Ownership After Team’s Frustrating Downfall

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ByAnanya Gondhi

Sep 24, 2024 | 2:07 PM EDT

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Is Mike Trout's loyalty to the Angels hurting his career? Should he demand a trade?

It’s been a challenging stretch for both Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels, hasn’t it? The ups have been few and far between, and it feels like both the team and Trout himself have lost a bit of their spark. Injuries have taken a toll on the superstar, and the Angels’ decisions have left fans scratching their heads. Trout has always been the ultimate team player, never one to voice complaints and always uplifting his teammates. But his recent statement says otherwise. As the losses pile up, the 33-year-old seems fed up with the situation around him.

Or at least is ready to speak up about it. Even after his injuries, the hitter is still the most crucial player for the Angels, but he’s rarely used that power to push for change, often sticking to the company line. Back in spring training, after a quiet offseason, he expressed a desire for the team to make some big additions in free agency. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and the team’s struggles are a clear reflection of it. And now, tired of the mediocrity, Trout has stepped up to call for change.

What does Trout feel about his team’s downfall?

Now, Trout has directly called out team owner Arte Moreno—a move that would have been unthinkable for him in previous seasons. But with things spiraling downward, he told The Athletic, “It’s all up to the owner. I think that’s where we’re at.” He believes that a couple of key additions in the offseason could’ve turned things around, but as we all know, that didn’t happen. Now, the Angels are staring down the possibility of their worst season in franchise history. Do you know how long ago the Angels made it to the playoffs?

It’s been a long drought for the Angels—they last made it in 2014! With no division titles or playoff series wins in sight, it’s a distant dream for the fans. As Trout put it, “I think the fans want playoff baseball like everybody else.” And who can blame them? After waiting a decade, the hope is wearing thin. But why did a superstar like Trout choose to sign with a team in such a tough spot? At the time he inked his extension, the Angels were in a competitive lull, but it seemed like a temporary setback. Unfortunately, that lull has morphed into an annual downward spiral, going worse season by season.

Resulting in nine straight years of losing records. And wait, there’s more—fifteen years since their last postseason win! Sad to see a great team and a great player, Mike Trout, being at their lowest. Is there any way to make things better? Well, former manager Joe Maddon even floated an intriguing idea that could help the 33-year-old superstar find his way back to greatness.

How can Mike Trout make his comeback, according to Maddon?

Trout’s baseball journey has now zeroed in on one singular goal: to reclaim the brilliance he once showcased before injuries threw him off course. From his Rookie of the Year breakout in 2012 to his final MVP campaign in 2019, Trout was an unstoppable force—dominating every facet of the game. So, what went wrong? The answer lies in injuries, and I mean plural. In 2021, a calf strain in mid-May was supposed to sideline him for just six to eight weeks.

But that injury turned into a nightmare, and Trout never made it back to the diamond that season. In 2022, Trout’s season was cut short by a month-long battle with a back injury. Then in 2023, a broken hamate bone sidelined him for the entire second half. Now, in 2024, the injury curse continues, limiting him to just 29 games due to a knee issue. It’s a frustrating saga for a player who once seemed invincible. But Joe Maddon believes Trout might only find his true potential with a team outside of the Angels. Joe suggested that the best scenario for Trout would be to join a squad “that has a chance to get to the playoffs.”

Basically, he wants the 33-year-old to join a team that can manage his workload effectively—allowing him to rest consistently. The goal is to minimize stress and keep him on the field. But with his contract extending until he’s 39, Trout has several years left with the Angels, but with this newfound willingness to speak up, what else might he reveal? Will his voice spark any change, especially in the team’s performance? Drop your thoughts in the comments!