Los Angeles Angels fans received unfortunate news as General Manager Perry Minasian announced that star outfielder Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. This news marks yet another chapter in Trout’s recent history of injuries hampering his once stellar career.
Trout has not set foot on the field since April 29, the date when he initially tore his meniscus. By that time, he had played only 29 games but had already showcased his prowess by slugging 10 home runs. However, his return to full health proved elusive. These recent injuries bring the larger picture of Trout’s availability into stark relief. Over the past four seasons, he has participated in only 266 of a possible 648 games, a troubling 41% participation rate.
Trout's performance post-All-Star break from 2021 to 2024 paints a similar picture of limited availability. Combined, these seasons saw him play a mere 41 games after the midseason hiatus. His 33rd birthday next week raises additional concerns. While he remains one of the game’s elite players when healthy, durability is increasingly becoming a significant issue.
In March 2019, Trout secured his future with the Angels by signing a mammoth 12-year, $426.5 million extension. As we enter year six of this contract, the financial and strategic implications are becoming ever more pressing. The Angels are obligated to pay Trout $35.45 million per year from 2025 through 2030, totaling $212.7 million. Given Trout’s recent injury history, the substantial amount of money still owed to him could become a considerable burden for the franchise.
Contract and Financial Implications
Despite having both Mike Trout and the dynamic two-way player Shohei Ohtani on their roster for six seasons, the Angels have struggled to achieve a winning record or secure a postseason appearance. Financial constraints have further complicated matters. Team owner Arte Moreno has imposed restrictions on the team’s ability to exceed the competitive balance tax threshold. These limitations impact the team's capacity to invest in additional talent and could be seen as a contributing factor to their lack of success.
The 2014 season stands out as the sole postseason appearance for the Angels during Trout’s illustrious career, ending in a series sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series. Salmon shortsighted decisions have plagued the franchise, from poor player development and questionable free agent signings to a series of unsuccessful trades.
Challenges and Criticisms
The Angels' struggles were highlighted last August when the team shed payroll to avoid exceeding the competitive balance tax, further emphasizing their ongoing issues. The perception of the Angels as one of the most mismanaged franchises in baseball is hard to ignore, especially when looking at the disjointed efforts both on and off the field.
Trout’s frequent injuries only compound these problems, casting a long shadow over the team's future prospects. The sizable financial obligations remaining on his contract raise questions about whether this deal is evolving into a cumbersome weight for the franchise. A once generational talent may now be seen as an expensive liability, further complicating the Angels' ability to rebuild effectively.
While Trout had MVP-winning campaigns in 2019 and a top-five MVP finish in 2020, these accolades feel like distant memories amid the team’s broader struggles. The Angels’ inconsistent performance has not only frustrated fans but also failed to capitalize on the prime years of one of baseball’s finest talents.
The future of the Los Angeles Angels remains uncertain. With hefty financial commitments to a star player plagued by injuries and an ownership reluctant to exceed financial boundaries, the path to regaining competitiveness seems fraught with challenges. The coming years will be critical for the organization as they navigate these perilous waters and attempt to build a sustainable, winning culture.