Trout's Season-Ending Injury Adds to Angels' Struggles
Los Angeles Angels GM Perry Minasian announced that star outfielder Mike Trout will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. Trout's absence began on April 29 when he initially suffered the meniscus tear. By that time, he had already managed to play only 29 games, while impressively slugging 10 home runs.
The outfielder's career over the past four seasons has been marred by various injuries. Trout has participated in just 266 of 648 possible games, a mere 41% participation rate that highlights his ongoing struggles with durability. His recurring injuries have significantly limited his post-All-Star break appearances, amounting to just 41 games from 2021 to 2024.
As Trout approaches his 33rd birthday next week, the milestone symbolizes not only another year older but potentially another year closer to the end of his prime in terms of physical resilience. This makes the news of his season-ending injury even more concerning for the Angels and their fans.
A Costly Investment
In March 2019, Trout signed a substantial 12-year contract extension worth $426.5 million with the Angels. As the team reaches year six of this mammoth deal, the financial and strategic implications are becoming increasingly apparent. Trout remains under contract through 2030, with the team owing him $35.45 million annually from 2025 to 2030. This amounts to a whopping $212.7 million over six years.
The Angels' dismal performance during Trout and Shohei Ohtani's tenure has added to their woes. Despite having these dynamic players on the roster for six seasons, the team has failed to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance. The franchise's lone postseason appearance during Trout’s illustrious career came in 2014, when they were swiftly swept by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series.
Organizational Challenges
The Angels' struggles can be attributed to various factors, including poor player development, questionable free agent signings, and a series of unsuccessful trades. Owner Arte Moreno's imposition of restrictions on exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold further complicates the situation.
Last August, the Angels took additional measures to shed payroll to avoid surpassing the competitive balance tax threshold, highlighting their ongoing financial challenges. These moves underscore concerns about the significant amount of money still owed to Trout, especially considering his frequent injuries, which could turn his high-value contract into a substantial burden for the franchise moving forward.
Despite Trout's MVP-winning season in 2019 and a top-five MVP finish in 2020, the Angels have often been labeled as one of the most mismanaged franchises in baseball. This perception stems not only from their on-field failures but also from their strategic missteps and financial decisions that have hindered the team’s ability to achieve sustained success.
As the Angels navigate these turbulent times, the loss of Trout for the remainder of 2024 underscores the challenges faced by the organization. It remains to be seen how the team will address these issues and whether they can turn things around in the coming seasons.