"Mike Trout is not even in any conversations about greatest players"- Ex-Marlins president sheds light on issues sidelining Angels' 3x MVP
Mike Trout may have three AL MVP titles on his resume, but he has not had any postseason success with the LA Angels. Even though many consider him one of the greatest players in baseball, former Marlins president David Samson doesn't believe the Angels' franchise player should even be in the discussion.
On Monday's episode of his podcast, "Nothing Personal with David Samson," he explained why he thinks Trout doesn't belong in the GOAT debate.
"Mike Trout is not even in any conversations about the greatest players in baseball," Samson said (7:07). "Too hurt, too much alone time in October to even be in the conversation anymore. But it doesn't sting. Given what Trout gets paid, it doesn't sting the way it stings."
Trout's 12-year $426,500,000 contract with the Halos is the second largest in MLB history, only behind Shohei Ohtani's 10-year $700M deal with the LA Dodgers. However, $68M of Ohtani's annual salary is deferred, making the contract adjusted to present-day value much lower.
Trout's 2024 season was cut short due to multiple injuries. In his absence, youngsters Zach Neto and Logan O'Hoppe shined for the Halos. Luis Rengifo also had a good season before injury sidelined him as well.
Samson ponders how Mike Trout and Arte Moreno reacted to the Dodgers clinching NLCS
Like Mike Trout, one asterisk on Shohei Ohtani's MLB career before he joined the Dodgers was his lack of postseason success. However, that changed quickly this season.
Ohtani's historic 50-50 season helped the Dodgers post the best record in the regular season. Moreover, he has been clutch with runners in scoring position. With the Dodgers defeating the Mets to clinch the NLCS, David Samson pondered on what Ohtani's former boss and teammates might be feeling.
"Wonder how Arte Moreno feels watching [Shohei] Ohtani win the pennant and going to the World Series," Samson said (6:42). "I would say that Mike Trout must be smiling a smile of disdain, contempt, and disgust, although I assume he's with his kids and loving life. Given the fact that if he wanted out of Anaheim, he could have gotten himself out of Los Angeles. Happy, I'm Happy for him."
Game 1 of the World Series is on Friday, with Ohtani and the Dodgers hosting the New York Yankees. The game will start at 8:08 p.m. ET.