In Major League Baseball (MLB), Mike Trout is a beacon of extraordinary talent and dedication. A prodigy from the beginning, Trout has continuously lived up to and surpassed the high expectations set for him, crafting an illustrious career with the Los Angeles Angels.
Despite his achievements, Trout’s experience in the postseason has been limited, with a single appearance back in 2014 when he was just 22 years old. This stark contrast between personal success and team achievement has been frustrating, not just for Trout but for Angels fans who yearn to see more of his brilliance in October’s high-stakes games. Despite the Angels’ 4-2 start one week into the 2024 season, many fans and experts don’t believe they can keep up with the talent of Texas, Houston, and even Seattle.
With the recent departure of Shohei Ohtani, the urgency for Trout to find a new home where he can chase the championship dreams seems to escalate. The idea of him moving to a contending team like the Braves is not just wishful thinking for fans but a topic of serious discussion among MLB analysts.
The Perfect Landing Spot: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves, emerging as one of the World Series favorites this season along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, present an exciting opportunity for Trout. On a recent episode of “The Windup” podcast, Stephen Nesbitt voiced the opinion that the Braves could be the team to offer Trout a fresh start and a real shot at the championship.
The move makes sense, as it would benefit Trout in his quest for postseason glory and significantly boost the Braves’ roster strength.
While the trade deadline is still a few months away, fans and analysts are already excited about what moves could be made, making the Braves a team to watch in the World Series Winner Odds conversation.
Trading Mike Trout
Injuries have made things difficult for Mike Trout lately. He’s missed many games—from 2021 to 2023, he played in only 237 games out of 486. Despite this, he’s got a considerable contract lasting until 2030, making over $35 million every year. Plus, Trout can say no to any trade he doesn’t like. But if Trout’s looking to join a team with a good shot at the championship, this shouldn’t stop a trade to the Braves, even though it means he’d be playing for his hometown team’s biggest rival.
The big question is, what would it take for the Braves to get Trout? Considering his recent injuries, 32 years old, and a big salary, trading for him might not be as straightforward. The Braves would probably need to offer their top pitcher prospect, AJ Smith-Shawver, and a young shortstop, Nacho Alvarez, who did great in High-A last season. In the deal, they might also include Adam Duvall, who was supposed to share playing time in left field this year. Another possibility could be trading Jarred Kelenic, a player with enormous potential, which might catch the Angels’ interest more.
A lot would need to line up perfectly for this trade to happen. The Braves would have to be okay with taking on Trout’s big salary, Trout would have to want to leave Los Angeles for Atlanta, and the Angels would need to agree to the trade. It’s not very likely, but imagine if it did happen. Trout joining forces with Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II could make the Braves’ lineup one of the most exciting in baseball and a clear threat to the Dodgers in winning the National League.