Mike Trout won’t be traded, Angels GM says

The All-Star outfielder is going to remain with the Angels, according to GM Billy Eppler.

Despite increased speculation and buzz to the contrary, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim general manager Billy Eppler publicly shot down the idea that he would trade away 24-year-old All-Star Mike Trout.

“We have no intent or desire to consider moving Mike Trout —€“ he’s not moving,” Eppler told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. “He’s an impact player, a huge piece in a championship core.”

Trout is in the midst of another MVP-worthy campaign, hitting .317 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs. He leads the team in all three categories, as well as on-base percentage (.400) and hits (33). Trout, who will turn 25 in August, already has an American League MVP Award, two All-Star Game MVP Awards and four All-Star appearances under his belt.

The Angels enter play Friday night with a 13-15 record, which puts them four games out of first place in the AL West. Injuries have taken their toll, most notably the recent loss of staff ace Garrett Richards, who will require Tommy John surgery.

With the team seemingly destined for another mediocre season outside of the postseason, reporters and fans alike have raised the question — would the Angels consider trading Trout for a king’s ransom to jumpstart the franchise?

While Eppler definitively ruled out a Trout trade, he didn’t immediately rule out other deals involving veteran players.

“This team was up against a lot of adversity last year and fought to the end,” Eppler told Rosenthal. “We’ve got a lot of character, a lot of the same guys on the club. They will not back down from a fight.”

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