"It's all up to the owner" - Mike Trout puts onus on Arte Moreno to build postseason contending team for next season
Mike Trout believes the decision lies with team owner Arte Moreno on whether the Los Angeles Angels have a roster that can challenge for a playoff berth in 2025. The Angels superstar believes the current team is just a handful of players away from taking a huge step forward next season. Trout feels the fans are craving postseason baseball after completing a decade-long barren run this year.
The Angels started the 2024 campaign poorly, which was then compounded after Mike Trout went to the IL at the end of April. They have had only one month over .500 and have been languishing at the bottom of the American League West ever since. Nevertheless, the emergence of young talents such as Logan O'Hoppe, Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel has provided a positive outlook for the future.
Recently, Mike Trout spoke to Sam Blum and Andy McCullough of The Athletic regarding the ambitions of the Angels for next season.
“A couple additions in the offseason could make a big difference,” Trout said. “It’s all up to the owner. I think that’s where we’re at.”
“It’s been 10 years now since we’ve made the playoffs,” he added. “I think that has something to do with it. I think the fans want playoff baseball like everybody else.”
Thus far, Trout has played just one postseason series in his career, when the Angels last reached the playoffs in 2014. Along with the Detroit Tigers, they presently share the longest-running streak without a postseason appearance.
It’s a tough place to be right now: Ex-Angels manager Joe Maddon on Mike Trout
Former LA Angels manager Joe Maddon expressed his desire to watch Mike Trout in the postseason, although he doubts if he will be able to achieve this current team. Maddon served three terms as the manager of the franchise, with his latest tenure lasting from 2020 to 2022.
“It’s not easy with everything that’s gone on there over the years,” Maddon added. “It’s just been tough. It’s a tough place to be right now.”
“If I had one wish, it would be that he’d be able to participate with a team that has a chance to get to the playoffs,” Maddon said. “A team that’s able to rest him on a consistent basis — even if he may not want that. Or put him in a position that takes a little stress off him. Just to get him on the field.”
Mike Trout has remained loyal to the organization, although he called out the Angels front office to improve the team during this spring training. At the moment, Trout is tied to the Angels until 2030 with a no-trade clause, but it remains to be seen how far he is willing to remain committed to the franchise in the future.