ESPN recently mocked up a trade for Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout. But would it actually work?
Another offseason, another Mike Trout to the Philadelphia Phillies rumor.
To be fair, they make sense, Trout is one of the greatest players to ever take the field and he is a local kid. Add in the fact that he has played for a team that fails to compete for the entirety of his career.
Just let the man free!
As such, ESPN recently did a mock trade that would see the Phillies acquire Trout from his Los Angeles Angels purgatory and bring him to Citizens Bank Park. Would it work?
See for yourself.
Los Angeles Angels Receive
Nick Castellanos, OF
Justin Crawford, OF (Single-A)
Griff McGarry, P (Triple-A)
$20 million in cash
Philadelphia Phillies Receive
Mike Trout, OF
If I am the Phillies and the Angels say “yes” to this trade, I am pulling the trigger without hesitation. But I don’t see a world in which Los Angeles does.
Trout is one of the greatest players in this generation. And while he has had injury issues and his contract is massive, he is still Mike Trout.
Castellanos can replace some of Trout’s pop, but he has been streaky, a far cry from Trout’s conssistency.
Crawford is talented and has the make up of being a productive Major League, yet he is still just a prospect. By definition, anything can happen.
And then there is Griff McGarry who has been so tantalizing, but still has questions surrounding his viability as a starter with his walk issues.
Personally, I don’t see a scenario in which the Angels accept this trade. It is quite light but it would get Trout’s salary off the payroll and allow Los Angeles to begin a rebuild in earnest.
Still, there is probably a better offer if Trout were placed on the trade block.