The Angels have already received criticism for refusing to trade likely AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, who has a strong chance of signing with a new team in free agency. The trade packages teams would have given up for Ohtani, even just as a rental for the remainder of the 2023 season, could have been pivotal for the Angels’ future.

Now, the Angels are faced with another difficult choice, whether or not to trade Mike Trout.

The only problem is, Mike Trout doesn’t want to be traded.

“Well, you can’t trade Mike Trout, number one he’s got a no-trade clause. He’s already said he’s not going anywhere,” said former Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila. “He’s come across saying he’s going to be getting ready for spring training next year.”

(Via @FoulTerritoryTV)

The only way that the Angels could deal Trout and completely embrace a rebuild would be if Trout wanted to leave, and it appears that is not the case.

However, that isn’t the only reason Avila thinks that trading Trout would be a difficult task for the Halos.

Trout has missed significant time in each of the last three seasons due to injuries, a troubling trend for a player with roughly $248 million left on his contract.

“He’s been injured to start every year, I mean, he’s played half of his games,” Avila said. “So even if he would be willing to be traded and you would find a buyer, you’re going to find a buyer that’s going to want you to eat a lot of that contract. … just based on his injury history you wouldn’t want to pay him that amount.”

(Via @FoulTerritoryTV)

Free agency officially begins after the World Series concludes.