Following successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, Mike Trout’s season is over.
With six years left on his $426.5M contract, the Los Angeles Angels now face a critical decision: What should they do with one of baseball’s best players?
For the often-injured Trout, who was once the face of baseball, these are uncharted waters.
His decline, while inevitable, has led to wild speculation. Is it time to trade him and his hefty contract? Or should he retire, as some have suggested?
Trout hasn’t indicated he’s ready to hang up his cleats, and he shouldn’t be dismissed that easily.
The Angels don’t have to look far for a blueprint.
Last season, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies transitioned from the outfield to first base while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Harper’s right elbow couldn’t handle the demands of right field, so he shifted to a position that required less from his arm.
The result? Harper has excelled, contributing offensively and defensively in a new role.
Trout, like Harper, has struggled with injuries, and his days as an elite outfielder are likely behind him. According to Baseball Savant, in just 203 innings in center field this season, Trout posted a -1 run value, a stark contrast to his earlier career. (Run value is a statistic that measures the impact of an event on the outcome of a run, based on historical data and other factors.)
Trout’s bat, however, remains dangerous. In only 29 games this season, he hit 10 home runs, proving he still has power. Moving Trout to first base or rotating him as a DH could prolong his career and keep his bat in the lineup.
There’s also the matter of loyalty. Trout signed a massive extension with a team that has only made the playoffs once during his career. That level of commitment should be reciprocated by the Angels. They owe it to Trout to find a role that suits his current physical capabilities, even if it means breaking tradition.
