Los Angeles Angels fans react to Mike Trout’s need for playoff atmosphere after his World Baseball Classic experience: "So he is getting traded?"
Fresh off his World Baseball Classic experience, Mike Trout wants to feel that playoff atmosphere back with his MLB team – the Los Angeles Angels.
As reported by Yahoo! Sports, Trout said:
"As soon as (the WBC) was over, on the bus headed back, I texted (Angels manager Phil Nevin), I told him, ‘I needed this. I needed to play in this atmosphere. I needed to experience it and be in the moment.’ It just made me think how bad we want to get back to the playoffs."
Trout, who debuted with the Angels in 2011 and played his entire career with the team, has been to the playoffs just once – in 2014. Los Angeles was swept by the Kansas City Royals in that season's American League Division Series.
The Angels have not finished above .500 since.
Mike Trout:
“As soon as (the WBC) was over, on the bus headed back, I texted (Phil Nevin). I said, ‘I needed this. I needed to play in this atmosphere. I needed to experience it and be in the moment.’ It just made me think about how bad we want to get back to the playoffs."
Fans were quick to ridicule Mike Trout's mindset, as he is still a part of a squad that features two of the best players in baseball in him and fellow superstar Shohei Ohtani. Many assumed that Trout is beginning to set the stage for his eventual departure from the Angels.
@SamBlum3 Trout working on his Angels exit strategy.
@SamBlum3 I think he was trying to ask for a trade
@SamBlum3 So he is getting traded some point this year to a contender?
@SamBlum3 The WBC likely benefited the Angels more than any other team. Things like this can spark an energy and drive that becomes contagious in a locker room. 2023 the playoff drought is over!
Eight members of the Angels played in the World Baseball Classic, including Ohtani and Trout. The tandem featured in the final play of the tournament as Ohtani struck out Trout to win the WBC for Team Japan over Team USA.
Many fans feel that the festive international experience will more than help the Angels as they look to snap their playoff drought in 2023.
@SamBlum3 I do think the Angels have had an expectation of failure over the past 5 years. Hopefully the WBC is the unlikely spark they need
@SamBlum3 It’s sad he had to play in the WBC to get that feeling.
@SamBlum3 The best thing to happen for the Angels is the WBC.
Mike Trout, selected with the No. 25 overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Angels, is signed to a 12-year, $426.5 million contract through 2030. Fans are torn as to whether having an expensive superstar of Trout's caliber helps or hurts the team as so much of the Los Angeles' monetary resources are wrapped up in one single player.
@SamBlum3 @Britt_Ghiroli But yet he remains on the Angels. Makes me wonder if he really means it.
@SamBlum3 @Britt_Ghiroli I respect his loyalty when he extended his contract but I fear that was his best chance to leave and win. Ohtani will be gone and I just don’t see it happening there
@SamBlum3 But he chose the money over rings. He made his bed. Did he really think Arte Moreno wanted to build a winning team?
At least one fan was ready to invoke their best Morgan Freeman voice regarding Trout's aspirations for 2023.
@SamBlum3 Narrator: “The Angels did not make the playoffs in 2023.”
Mike Trout has a phenomenal resume with the Angels
In 12 years with the Angels, Mike Trout has built an impressive statline. He has a career WAR of 82.4, and is batting .303 with 350 home runs, 896 RBIs, 1,052 runs and 204 stolen bases.
The 2011 AL Rookie of the Year is a three-time AL Most Valuable Player, 10-time All-Star and nine-time Silver Slugger award winner.