MLB Trade Rumors: 5 trade destinations for Mike Trout
By John Buhler
The Los Angeles Angels are in need of an influx of young talent. Although highly controversial, here are five teams that could trade for Mike Trout.
On Friday, ESPN’s David Schoenfield asks the toughest question we thought we’d never hear with regards to Major League Baseball: Do the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim need to bite the bullet and trade five-tool outfielder Mike Trout?
Los Angeles has by far and away the most pitiful farm system, as the Angels have been in a win-now mode for easily the last five years. Yes, Trout is sensational, but the Josh Hamilton signing was a complete disaster, Jered Weaver has no power left in his arm, C.J. Wilson is never healthy, and Albert Pujols is in rapid, undeniable decline.
However, those were all things that were largely expected with the 2016 Angels and they still seemed like a team that could hold their own in the deep American League West. Now 28 games into 2016 MLB season, Los Angeles finds itself at a poor 13-15.
It doesn’t help that their two young star pitchers in Andrew Heaney and Garret Richards are experiencing arm trouble. Richards will miss the rest of 2016 to undergo Tommy John Surgery. Heaney is on the disabled list, hoping to not have to go under the knife in the same fashion as Richards.
In short, Los Angeles has a huge decision to make between now and the MLB trade deadline regarding Trout. He’s really the only player on the team that if traded could completely remake the Angels’ hopelessly barren farm system. Should the Angels’ front office do the unthinkable and make Trout available, here are five teams that could offer Los Angeles the most in return for the five-tool outfielder.
Should the Angels’ front office do the unthinkable and make Trout available, here are five teams that could offer Los Angeles the most in return for the five-tool outfielder.
Next: 5. Milwaukee Brewers