Mike Trout's Season-Ending Injury Adds to Angels' Woes
Los Angeles Angels General Manager Perry Minasian has delivered disheartening news for fans: star outfielder Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the 2024 season owing to a torn left meniscus. This latest injury is another chapter in the ongoing injury saga that has plagued Trout for much of his illustrious career.
The unfortunate tear occurred back in April, sidelining Trout since the 29th of that month. By then, he had already showcased his prodigious talents, hitting 10 home runs in just 29 games. The loss of Trout is profoundly felt, compounded by his struggles to stay on the field over recent years. Over the past four seasons, various injuries have restricted him to just 266 out of a possible 648 games—a significant drop to a 41% participation rate.
Trout's availability has significantly dwindled in crucial periods as well. Analyzing his performance from 2021 to 2024 post-All-Star breaks reveals a stark reality: he managed only 41 games across these four seasons. As Trout approaches his 33rd birthday next week, the looming question is whether we are seeing the twilight of his peak athletic years.
The weighty financial implications of Trout's injuries are not lost on the franchise. Back in March 2019, Trout signed a monumental 12-year extension worth $426.5 million with the Angels. Now in the sixth year of that contract, the financial burden has grown apparent. Trout is under contract through 2030, with the Angels owing him an astonishing $35.45 million annually from 2025 to 2030, totaling $212.7 million.
Despite the high-profile presence of both Trout and the dynamic two-way player Shohei Ohtani over the past six seasons, the Angels have persistently underperformed, failing to post a winning record or secure a postseason appearance. This marks a significant concern for the franchise, exacerbated by Arte Moreno's directive to maintain compliance with the competitive balance tax threshold.
The solitary playoff appearance during Trout's stellar career came in 2014, ending in a disappointing series sweep by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series. Trout's noteworthy performances, including an MVP-winning season in 2019 and a top-five MVP finish in 2020, provide glimpses of his immense capacity. However, the team's broader struggles hinder any sustained success.
The Angels' challenges extend beyond Trout's injury woes, encompassing poor player development, dubious free-agent signings, and a series of failed trades. The financial constraints were further highlighted last August when the team shed payroll to avoid exceeding the competitive balance tax. These ongoing issues have earned the Angels a reputation as one of the most mismanaged franchises in Major League Baseball.
With Trout's frequent injuries and the substantial financial commitments still incumbent upon the Angels, the perception of his contract as an onerous burden looms large. As the team grapples with strategic and financial dilemmas, the hope is for better management to steward them towards a more promising future—one in which the remarkable talents of players like Mike Trout can be fully realized and celebrated.