Who is to blame for the Angels’ debacle last year? The players are facing the heat from the owner here for not performing as per the expectations. While it is true that a few, like Mike Trout, did not exhibit their best last year, there might be other reasons contributing to poor team performance. This time, the Angels owner Arte Moreno’s words went out of context just because he had involved Trout.
Mike Trout is the Angels’ veteran and is often regarded as the best player of his generation if not one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Playing for the Angels since his debut in 2011, he is the face of the team and enjoys immense fan support. Accusing him during his bad phase hasn’t sat well with the fans. So how is Trout planning to make a comeback this year, and what other options lie ahead for his team?
The downward trend for Mike Trout
The downward trend of Mike Trout’s performance has been spiraling down for the last few years, mainly due to his injuries. Trout played only 29 games in 2024 due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, which required surgery twice. In the 29 games he played, Trout had a .220 batting average, 10 home runs, and 14 RBI. This is a serious downfall when compared to averaging 35 homers and 92 RBI a year from 2012 to 2019! It is also his payroll of $426 million that is further making his performance look worse. Well, that’s where Moreno got frustrated for not getting the desired results from his leading man.
Arte Moreno spoke to the media today, here’s a summary of what was said. (Source: OCR)
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“I can spend the money on (Mike) Trout, but I can’t go in and bat for him,” said Moreno during the Angels’ first spring training season. He is visibly frustrated considering how the team fared poorly in recent times. For those unaware, the Angels last won a World Series ring in 2002, and last year they finished with a 63-99 record, placing last in the American League West for the first time since 1999. However, is it only the performance of Mike Trout that is responsible for the team’s poor results? “The economics and the years didn’t match,” Moreno said on why a few big names cannot be added to the team this year—another reason for getting a contending team!
What lies ahead
While the team’s performance is not entirely in Trout’s hands and he cannot control the addition of new names, what he can do is improve his own performance. Mike Trout is reportedly coming rejuvenated this year with a new position and plan. He is shifting from his staple centerfield to rightfield with occasional encounters as a DH! With this move, Trout needs to cover less area as a right fielder compared to a centerfielder and more games to play as a DH. He is now 33, and his body might not be enough to take all the physical strain at the center field.
What can be sweeter than witnessing Trout slugging all over the park in his trademark style? Those high-velocity actions can be visible again this year from Trout as DH! From the team’s POV, Moreno can get him traded, but that would be an unwise decision considering how Trout is still the biggest brand for the Angels and he still has runs left to score. The road to redemption that Trout planned for this year indicates how much he is still committed to the team. 2025 might be the year of redemption for Mike Trout, but what about the Angels? Well, that depends on a contending team’s performance on the field.
Considering how Trout is planning to make a comeback, Moreno might not need to repeat his frustration this year—a vintage Mike Trout might be just around the corner. What do you think about Moreno’s evaluation of Trout? Share your thoughts with us below.
The post “I Can’t Go In And Bat”: Mike Trout Attacked By Angels’ Owner for Not Being Worth His Price Due to His Injuries appeared first on EssentiallySports.