Los Angeles Angels GM Perry Minasian has announced that star outfielder Mike Trout is set to miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. This injury marks yet another tough break in a series of setbacks that have limited Trout's playtime over recent years.
Trout hasn't seen the field since April 29, the date of his initial meniscus tear. By then, he had managed to play just 29 games and had already slugged 10 home runs. This season-ending injury adds another chapter to the litany of physical challenges Trout has endured since 2021. Various ailments have restricted him to merely 266 of 648 possible games, an alarming 41% participation rate over the past four seasons.
Looking at Trout's performance after the All-Star breaks between 2021 and 2024 tells a similar story. In those four seasons combined, he managed only 41 games. Clearly, his durability has been a significant concern for the Angels. The outfielder's 33rd birthday next week signals not just another year older, but perhaps another step past his prime in terms of durability.
In March 2019, Trout signed a mammoth 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels. Year six of that contract has come with financial and strategic implications. While Trout remains under contract through 2030, the Angels owe him $35.45 million per year from 2025 to 2030, amounting to $212.7 million. Such a financial commitment raises questions about the sustainability and long-term value of this investment, particularly when weighed against Trout's ongoing injury troubles.
The situation is compounded by the performance of the Angels as a team. With both Trout and dynamic two-way player Shohei Ohtani on the roster for six seasons, the Angels have failed to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance. This lack of success reflects broader issues within the franchise, often attributed to poor player development, questionable free agent signings, and a series of unsuccessful trades. These troubles are exacerbated by the team's inability to exceed the competitive balance tax threshold, a restriction imposed by owner Arte Moreno.
Trout's contract was initially seen as a strategic pairing with Ohtani, extending their time together for a potential five more years before Ohtani hits free agency. Nevertheless, the Angels' inability to capitalize on this unique pairing underlines the struggle in the front office and on the field.
To add perspective, the only postseason appearance by the Angels during Trout's illustrious career was in 2014, a series sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series. Despite his MVP-winning season in 2019 and a top-five MVP finish in 2020, these individual accolades have not translated into team success. The end of notable contracts, like that of Albert Pujols, initially seemed to provide financial flexibility, but shedding payroll last August to avoid the competitive balance tax further emphasizes the Angels' ongoing struggles.
Trout's frequent injuries and the substantial amount of money still owed to him are contributing factors to the perception that his contract could become a weighty burden for the franchise. The long-term, high-value deals have been historically problematic towards their end stages, and Trout's situation appears to be no different.
In the grander picture, the Los Angeles Angels have often been labeled as one of the most mismanaged franchises in baseball. This labeling arises from a combination of poor decision-making, inadequate player development, and an inability to effectively utilize the talents of once-in-a-generation players like Trout and Ohtani.
As Trout continues to grapple with his latest injury, the Angels must reckon with their investment's realities and the missed opportunities over the years. The story of Mike Trout's career is one of immense talent and troubling tribulation, marred by injuries and unfulfilled team potential. Whether the Angels can turn their fortunes around remains a daunting question for a franchise looking to emerge from the shadows of its past mismanagement.