The Los Angeles Angels find themselves at a crossroads, a striking reminder of how even the best players can be stalled by the collective mismanagement of a franchise. For two decades, this team has boasted some of baseball’s greatest talents, yet the results have been anything but impressive. It’s nearly mind-boggling to consider that after winning the World Series as the Anaheim Angels way back in 2002, the Angels seem to have been content merely coasting on that historic achievement.
In particular, the plight of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani stands out. Having two of the top ten players in baseball history on the roster should be a franchise’s dream. Instead, it feels like an embarrassing missed opportunity, as the Angels have failed to convert their talent into success on the field. With Trout now dealing with injury issues and only Ohtani remaining from this dynamic duo, the situation has become incredibly delicate.
Since Trout’s Major League debut in 2011, the Angels have only managed four winning seasons over 14 years. The highlight—a solitary playoff appearance that ended in a swift 3-0 defeat in the American League Divisional Series—underscores just how far this organization has drifted from its aspirations. Even with Ohtani’s arrival to complement Trout, the Angels still couldn’t field a competitive team. Meanwhile, franchises like the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays consistently prove that you don’t need the highest payroll to build a winning roster.
A major part of the challenge lies in Trout’s own inability to stay healthy. Averaging just 108 games played each season complicates matters, though when he is on the field, he continues to demonstrate undeniable greatness as a top-tier player. So, why can’t the Angels surround him with the talent he deserves? The front office has shown a willingness to invest in marquee names, as seen with Ohtani. Yet the struggle to effectively hit on free agent signings has been a glaring issue.
Take Anthony Rendon, for example. Signed in 2020 to a whopping seven-year, $245 million deal, Rendon has provided a meager 3.8 Wins Above Replacement over his first five seasons with the team. For context, Trout managed to compile 4.0 Wins Above Replacement in just the last two seasons despite battling injury and playing in only 111 games. Such costly missteps in roster construction, combined with a weak farm system, have led to wasted years for Trout and, consequently, the franchise.
Now, the ownership faces a pivotal decision regarding Trout’s future in Los Angeles. Do they want to invest in a competitive team and truly attempt to contend, or will they continue to prioritize a star player merely to attract fans and boost jersey sales? At 32 years old and with injury concerns, Trout remains a magnetic presence when healthy. But given the franchise’s history, it feels increasingly unlikely that they will prioritize winning.
Locked into a contract that runs through the 2030 season, Trout’s hefty salary could still entice other teams looking to strengthen their rosters without hesitation. Although trading away a player of his caliber is no easy decision, the question must be asked: when you can’t build a winning team around him, wouldn’t it make sense to capitalize on his value while you still can?
The Angels could have been a success story, surrounding Trout with a mix of emerging young talent and veteran experience. Instead, they seem to have resigned themselves to mediocrity. The choice is clear: either they continue with their current trend of losing or they make the difficult yet potentially beneficial decision to trade him away, aiming for a brighter future.
