Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is in a unique position with the franchise. After 13 years of showing nothing but outward loyalty and praise for the organization, he has taken a slightly different tone at the start of 2024 Spring Training. He gave a more detailed answer to a trade request question than he ever has, and has now admitted he wants the franchise to do more to improve before Opening Day.
Trout is looking at the list of the remaining MLB free agents and seeing plenty of big names still up for grabs. The two biggest in this category are starting pitcher Blake Snell and outfielder Cody Bellinger. Both have been tied to the Angels at some point, but owner Arte Moreno has made it clear that this year’s budget is lower than before and they may not have room for any more major contracts.
Moreno is also looking at the remaining money owed to Anthony Rendon and may have some buyer’s remorse when it comes to large contracts now. But that has not stopped Trout from advocating for what he wants, and what he wants is one of those big names on the Angels, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“This offseason, I was in contact with both of them (Moreno and president John Carpino), just pushing, pushing, pushing. There’s still some guys out there that can make this team a lot better. With the guys we’ve got out here now, it’s the first day of spring. With the additions that Perry’s brought to this bullpen — I’ve always said playing good defense and having a good bullpens wins. You can look at that in the past.
“I’m just going to keep pushing as long as I can. Until the season starts or until those guys sign. It’s just in my nature. I’m doing everything I can possible. It’s obviously Arte’s decision. I’m going to put my two cents in there.”
However, Trout shortly after admitted he knows it’s a long shot, especially with the way Moreno has approached this offseason. But Trout, for the first time, kept the door open on a trade request, saying it’s something he may entertain in the future even if he wouldn’t consider it now.
In the meantime, he’ll continue to push for long shots like Snell and Bellinger even if the odds aren’t on his side.
Arte Moreno has no plans to sell Angels
The last two years have been filled with uncertainty at the very top of the Angels organization. In that time, Moreno has put the team on the market, subsequently taken it off the market while still hearing offers and has continued to struggle to put a winning team on the field while allowing Shohei Ohtani to walk and refusing to trade him when the time was right.
All of this has left the team in a state of limbo. It was less than two months ago that rumors swirled about Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban showing interest in buying the Angels. At the same time, L.A. has clearly chosen to cut costs on their 2024 roster, making only minimal bullpen investments. With all of this going on, it’s safe to wonder what Moreno’s long-term plan is.
He spoke publicly on the subject, saying that he has no plans in the near future to sell the Angels franchise.
