The MLB offseason has really kicked into high gear with some major moves shaking up the league. Juan Soto is donning a Mets cap, Kyle Tucker’s bats are packed for Chicago, and Garrett Crochet is pointed toward Fenway. However, the trade winds are buzzing about another superstar: Mike Trout.
Even though Trout might not own the title of the best center fielder in the game anymore, he’s firmly in the top echelon. Injuries limited him to just 29 games in 2024, but his career numbers are incomparable: a .299/.410/.581 slash line with 378 homers. Even in his abbreviated season, Trout launched 10 of those in just 29 games. The man still slugs at the plate and remains a pivotal defensive asset in center field.
For the Los Angeles Angels, the situation is all too familiar. They’re not in the neighborhood of contending for a championship, and trading Trout could be their best move for both parties. The Angels have amassed young talent, like Logan O’Happe, Nolan Schanuel, and Mickey Moniak, yet they’re still a few seasons away from a serious playoff push. At 33, Trout deserves more than watching another October from the sidelines.
Enter the Cincinnati Reds as a potential landing spot for Trout.
The Reds have made some noise of their own, parting ways with David Bell and bringing in Terry Francona to helm the dugout. Francona’s resume is gilded with two World Series titles and a track record of transforming teams into winners, boasting a career win percentage of .538. With his leadership guiding the Reds, the potential for transforming their young talent into a championship-caliber team is tangible.
Cincinnati has a vibrant cast of young stars with names like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Tyler Stephenson, Spencer Steer, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand lighting up the roster. Adding a savvy veteran like Trout could prove invaluable, particularly in shoring up one of their glaring weak spots: center field. Last season, Reds’ center fielders struggled with a meager .220/.303/.408 slash line, underscoring a gap that Trout could unquestionably fill with both his bat and defensive prowess.
Bringing Trout into the fold could elevate Cincinnati’s offense significantly while fortifying their defensive line-up. For Francona and company, pulling the trigger on this trade might just be the move to elevate the Reds from potential to powerhouse.
