eplacing Shohei Ohtani. That’s the task facing the Los Angeles Angels as the 2024 MLB season dawns. Ohtani, the two-way star who is unlike anybody in MLB’s modern era, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December after the Angels declined to match the 10-year, $700 million contract offer he eventually signed — and as a result, many expect another season of losing at Angel Stadium, where playoff baseball has not been played since 2014.
However, a small glimmer of hope could become a big one if the Angels’ other superstar batter can stay healthy in 2024. Mike Trout has battled through injuries in recent years, but the three-time AL MVP appears ready to go on the eve of spring training in Arizona — and he has no interest in playing for any other franchise, despite a litany of rumors to the contrary.
Trout’s unwavering commitment
Trout on Monday told reporters that asking for a trade away from the struggling Angels — especially in light of Ohtani’s departure — would be taking the “easy way out.” The outfielder wants to build something lasting in Anaheim, under new manager Ron Washington.
Trout is in the middle of a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with the Angels that he signed before the 2019 season — when he his third and last, to date, MVP award. There are still seven years to run on that contract, each of which calls for Trout to earn a $35.5 million salary, and the 32-year-old is already showing signs of slowing down. Trout played only 82 games last season due to a bone fracture in his hand, and he could only watch as the Angels limped to a 73-89 record in what would prove to be Ohtani’s final season with the franchise.
Trout wants to the Angels to spend
Constructing a sustainable contender in Anaheim will take time that Trout simply does not have left in his MLB career. The Angels’ minor league system is routinely ranked as one of the worst in baseball, and the franchise’s many high-priced free-agent acquisitions over the years have largely flopped.
Even if the Angels strike out on Snell or other star free agents, a full season of MVP-level form from Trout will go a long way to pushing the Halos into the AL postseason conversation. But Trout himself has not dismissed the idea of requesting a trade in the future, so both player and franchise will have to impress the other in 2024.
