Angels analyst claims Mike Trout will retire as a one-club man; envisions 3x MVP's future as DH

Mike Trout is widely considered one of the best players of his era. He has played for the Angels throughout his MLB career and analyst Mark Gubicza believes Trout will likely finish his career with the team and potentially transition into a designated hitter.

Gubicza, a retired baseball pitcher-turned-commentator for the Los Angeles Angels, shared his thoughts on an episode of the "Blair and Barker" podcast on the Sportsnet YouTube Channel.

“The most important thing is keeping his bat in the lineup. I think for a baseball fan, you’re going to see Trout doing that a lot more from the DH role," said Gubicza (Timestamp: 1:25:52)

"Historically, his numbers haven’t been great as a designated hitter, but there was always the mindset he was always playing in the outfield. So, I think the numbers will come in there. Look at David Ortiz, Shohei Ohtani, Edgar Martinez and Paul Molitor—they had similar injury problems, but look at their careers as DHs.

"I don't think there's any scenario in the world where Trouts not wearing an angel uniform for the rest of his career," he added.

Trout has received three MVP awards and has been chosen for 11 All-Star Games. Moving to a DH role could help him manage the physical demands of playing in the outfield.

Mike Trout’s recovery plan offers fresh hope for Angels in 2025

The Los Angeles Angels have kept their heads above water this season even though Trout has been absent since the end of April. With a record of 25-25, the team has witnessed contributions from Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, Tyler Anderson, Kevin Pillar and Ben Joyce.

This year, Trout faced two meniscus tears in his knee, casting doubt over his future. He underwent surgery and is expected to be back in full swing by the beginning of the 2025 season.

Trout's anticipated comeback, along with Neto and Schanuel's development and the possible inclusion of Christian Moore, could bolster the team's capabilities.