Do The Angels Need To Make The Playoffs To Keep Trout In Anaheim?

No Comments November 20, 2016 Angels By John Stellman

Angel fans should be concerned about the possibility of life without Mike Trout.

The 25-year old superstar just climaxed his fifth full season in Anaheim by winning his second American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Surreal Experience

“It’s crazy. I’m speechless, man,” the Vineland, New Jersey native told the MLB network.

He finished second in 2102 when he was the unanimous AL Rookie Of The Year recipient.

That balloting was so lopsided that Oakland’s Yoenis Cespedes finished 77 votes behind Trout (140-63).

Three Time Runner-Up

Trout was also runner up to Miguel Cabrera in 2014 and to Josh Donaldson the following year.

The only other player to finish in the top two in five consecutive seasons was Barry Bonds.

Staggering Stats

Trout’s career accomplishments are mind boggling.

He has scored more runs than any other player in the league on four occasions.

Twice he has led the league in walks.

His 49 steals in 2012 were tops in the league as were the 111 runs he drove in during the summer of ’14.

Impressive Credentials

Last season’s award winning resume included a .315 batting average, 173 base hits, 29 round trippers. 100 runs knocked home, 123 runs scored and 30 swiped bags and owned a .991 OPS.

“Going into the season I wanted to put everything together.

I try to be the best player I can be. To be the best player in the league…I want to try to improve in every category,

That’s my goal every off season,” Trout said.

Good As It Gets?

So how much better can the Angels first round selection in the 2009 draft (25th pick overall) be?

And with his limitless talent, how much more hardware will Trout collect?

“It’s hard to win one.

To win another one, it means a lot of hard work and commitment paying off,” the 6’2, 235-pounder admitted.

Wasn’t A Gimme

Ironically, Trout’s selection wasn’t exactly a slam dunk.

There is a psychological difference here.

Call it Old School versus the Cyber Geeks.

The Old Guard is of the opinion that the award should go to a player on a contending team i.e. Boston’s Mookie Betts.

The 24-year old right fielder hit .318, collected 214 base knocks, hit 31 home runs, drove in 113 runs, crossed the plate 122 times, stole 26 bases and had an OPS of .897.

Still, the New Age contingent believes the best player can’t be denied because of inferior teammates.

A-Rod A Loner

But in 22 of the last 23 non-strike American League seasons only Alex Rodriquez (Texas, 2003) came from a non-playoff team.

Still, Trout managed 19 of the 30 first place votes and 356 total votes.

Betts, whose Red Sox won the AL East (93-69) finishing four games ahead of Baltimore and Toronto, garnered just nine first place votes and a total of 311.

Trout, Vladimir Guerrero (2004) and Don Baylor (1979) are the only Angel MVP recipients.

3-Time Winner

Current Angel teammate Albert Pujols won three Most Valuable Player awards with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Of Trout, Angel general manager Billy Eppler says, “He exhibits a ferocious work ethic and competitiveness directed at continuous improvement in all aspects of his game.

And we are all lucky to watch him play day in and day out.”

4 More Years?

But for how much longer will the 3M plus fans who flock to Anaheim Stadium be able to watch Trout roam the outfield?

Trout’s 6yr/$144.5M contract will expire after the 2020 season.

But only once since Trout’s arrival (2014) have the Angels claimed the American League West title.

That celebration was short lived. Kansas City swept Mike Scioscia’s squad in the Divisional Series.

Mediocre Results

In Trout’s other four seasons the Angels have finished third three times and fourth once.

Last season’s debacle saw the Angels finish 21 games behind division winning Texas.

They did however, manage to stave off of Oakland in the battle for the basement.

But how many more seasons does Trout want to show up for spring training in Tempe, Arizona with virtually no hope of reaching the playoffs?

Where’s the help coming from.?

Cameron Maybin?

In 94 games for Detroit, the Angels new everyday left fielder hit .315 with four home runs and 43 RBIs.

“He fits a lot of things we value,” says Eppler.

He brings a good contact ability, above average plate discipline and selectivity.

Plenty Of Upside

He knows the strike zone well. That’s an important aspect of his game.

He has strength in the swing, above average base running and he’s a base stealer.

He’s an above average defender.

There’s a good amount of ground to cover, so we want athletic players that can cover an above average amount of ground.”

Center Fielder By Trade

Curiously, Maybin is a center fielder.

“With the God given athletic ability I have been given,” the 29 year old former top prospect turned journeyman (Detroit, Florida, San Diego, Atlanta, Detroit) said.

I think I can go out and be one of the best left fielders in the game.”

More Work To Do

Eppler still has to make other moves.

Unfortunately, the Angel farm system still remains abysmal.

Their current cast of characters need to blossom and blossom quickly.

Without post season appearances on the horizon the prospect of retaining Trout could disappear.

Expensive Commodity

Trout very well could become baseball’s first $50M a year player.

And even if owner Arte Moreno came up with the cash, what’s Trout’s incentive to stay?

Trust me, there will be other wealthy suitors ready to open up their pocket books.

And New York is just a Trout blast from Melville, N.J. where his family still resides.

Cross Country Move?

The Yankees acquired 11 blue chip prospects before last July’s trade deadline and now have what the pundits consider the top farm system in all of baseball.

They also have a rich history.

Forty American League pennants and 27 World Series championship rings.

Records Galore

Both are major league records.

Then there are 13 Yankees who total 24 MVP awards.

The ‘Yankee Clipper’, Joe DiMaggio, owns three (1939, 1941, 1947). So do Yogi Berra (1951, 1954, 1955) and Mickey Mantle (1956, 1957, 1962).

Lou Gerhig (1927, 1936), Roger Maris (pictured above) (1960, 1961) and the pin stripped Rodriguez (2005, 2007) each earned two.

Huh?

Nice company.

So Mike Trout might just feel right at home in New York City.

In more ways than ONE!

The Orange County Register Contributed To This Article

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...