The Los Angeles Angels received a significant blow this week as GM Perry Minasian announced that star outfielder Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. Trout’s unfortunate injury compounds an already tumultuous period for the Angels, who have struggled to find their footing in recent years.
Trout has been sidelined since April 29, the date of his initial meniscus tear. By that point, he had managed to play just 29 games and had already slugged 10 home runs, showcasing the kind of impact he can have when on the field. However, various ailments have severely limited his availability. Over the past four seasons, Trout has appeared in only 266 of 648 possible games, amounting to an alarming 41% participation rate.
Declining Durability
The three-time MVP's durability has been a persistent issue. Analyzing Trout's performance post-All-Star breaks from 2021 to 2024 paints a grim picture: he managed to play only 41 games during this period. As Trout approaches his 33rd birthday next week, questions regarding his longevity and prime years become ever more pressing.
In March 2019, Trout signed a massive 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels. Now in the sixth year of that contract, both financial and strategic implications weigh heavily on the team. The Angels owe Trout a staggering $35.45 million annually from 2025 to 2030, totaling $212.7 million. With his frequent injuries, the substantial amount still owed to him risks becoming a financial burden for the franchise.
Missed Opportunities and Mismanagement
Significantly, the partnership of Trout and dynamic two-way player Shohei Ohtani has not yielded the desired success. Despite having these two marquee talents on their roster for six seasons, the Angels have failed to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance. The only postseason appearance during Trout's illustrious career was a brief stint in 2014, where the Angels were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series.
The Angels have been criticized for poor player development, questionable free-agent signings, and a series of ill-fated trades. The team's failure to exceed the competitive balance tax threshold, a restriction imposed by owner Arte Moreno, has further hampered their ability to build a competitive roster. Shedding payroll last August to avoid this tax further underscores the ongoing struggles.
Weighty Contract and Future Prospects
Trout's contract, initially lauded as a coup for the franchise, now looms as a potential weight on the Angels' future. The remaining $212.7 million commitment to Trout through 2030, coupled with his frequent injuries and the team’s chronic underperformance, casts a shadow over the franchise's ability to regroup and rebuild effectively.
In stark contrast to individual brilliance, the Angels’ organizational shortcomings have earned them the reputation of being one of the most mismanaged franchises in baseball. While Trout had MVP-winning seasons in 2019 and a top-five MVP finish in 2020, these accolades have not translated to team success or postseason play.
As Trout prepares to blow out the candles on his 33rd birthday cake, the Angels must grapple with the challenges of building a competitive team around him and Ohtani, addressing the mismanagement issues, and navigating the financial constraints posed by their payroll obligations. The team’s immediate future appears riven with complexities, balancing hope with the pressing need for strategic overhaul.