"Phillies would do anything to get Mike Trout" - Jackson Holliday perplexed by Angels' 3x AL MVP, 11x All-Star's apparent disinterest
Los Angeles Angels selected Mike Trout 25th overall in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft and the rest is history, as far as individual accomplishments are concerned. Unfortunately, the lack of postseason success with the Angels has made fans link Trout with the Philadelphia Phillies, of whom he is a diehard fan.
Orioles rookie and 2022 MLB No.1 draft pick Jackson Holliday believes the Phillies are willing to acquire the 3x AL MVP from the Angels, no matter the cost. However, Trout's apparent disinterest in the move baffles the Orioles rookie.
Holliday discussed it with Mason "Busta" Nutt and Cole "MadJack" Lantz, the popular golf content creator duo.
"I think the Phillies would do anything to get him," Holliday said [timestamp 53:22]. "I think they would give away their whole farm system cuz he's from Philly you know. I don't know why he wouldn't be open to that."
Holliday discussed Trout after the content creator duo expressed interest in seeing the 11x All-Star out of the LA Angels. Like Holliday, they also think Philadelphia is a good fit for Trout as he is a diehard fan of sports teams there, particularly the Eagles.
Despite the lack of success, Trout has always stayed loyal to the Halos. Even though many have called for him to be traded due to his recurring injuries in recent seasons, die-hard Angels fans have always backed him.
Mike Trout only played 29 games in 2024, missing most of the season due to multiple injuries. As such, the franchise player expressed his interest in playing part-time in the DH role. However, the Halos' recent acquisition of Jorge Soler from the Braves, has put a wrench in the idea.
Ex-Phillies GM doesn't see Mike Trout as a good fit for Philadelphia
Despite Trout being a hardcore fan of Philadelphia sports teams, former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn't think the Angels star is a good fit for the team. With Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Zach Wheeler eating a huge chunk of the payroll, the potential addition of Trout didn't seem like a great idea for Amaro Jr.
"I think that Mike Trout, I have a great deal of respect for what he's done in the game, but the fact is he is declining a little bit as a player," Amaro Jr. said. "Also, his availability, you just cannot, you can't, this is not the right type of guy for this team."
Mike Trout signed a contract extension with the Angels in 2019 for $426.5 million, keeping him in Los Angeles through 2030. If the Phillies acquire him, they would likely have to pay north of $35,000,000 in annual salary for Mike Trout, potentially putting them above the luxury threshold.
Nevertheless, Amaro Jr. entertained a possible trade of sending Taijuan Walker to the Angels for Trout. However, insider Jim Salisbury, co-host of Amaro Jr. in the "Phillies Show," didn't think the Walker trade was feasible either.