Angels insider believes Ron Washington "has to be the guy" to set Mike Trout's roles to protect 3x AL MVP in 2025

Mike Trout is one of the best hitters in MLB over the past decade. However, the three-time AL MVP has been unable to stay healthy lately. This season, Trout played only 29 games before hurting his knee, which required surgery. He was on the path to return but again, a similar knee issue popped up (torn meniscus), ending his season.

Mike Trout's trouble staying healthy going forward will depend a lot on how manager Ron Washington opts to use his skills, according to an Angels insider. During the Oct. 25 edition of the "Locked On Angels" podcast, Mike Frisch stated that Washington has to be cautious about the center fielder.

"I think the Angels need to let him be who he is and let him play, and I know we've talked about moving him to the outfield and moving him to the side and DH-ing and things like that," Frisch said (27:00 onwards). "I think that's all up for conversation, and I think Ron Washington has to be the guy that just says, 'We're going to do this. We're not going to change your rhythm, but we are going to do this, Mike. I'm 72; I'm an old man. I'm going to tell you what to do,' right?

"So I think that's where the adjustment has to be. I don't think you go, 'Mike, what do you think and what do you feel?' I think you go to Mike and say, 'Mike, you're going to play left field, and you're going to DH, and you're going to do that every single day. And if you're going to argue with me, I'm not going to listen to you.'"

Mike Frisch believes club needs to make adjustments to Mike Trout's playing time

The story remains similar in the last five seasons, with Mike Trout only playing more than 100 games once, in 2022. Otherwise, Trout and baseball has been an incomplete story.

The Angels tried everything this season to make Trout available for the entire season, even asking him to play only DH. However, it still became a season where he just wasn't there.

"I think I'm with you on that," co-host Jon Frisch said. "They do need to make adjustments to his playing time and give him an expectation for what that's going to look like, especially if he's going to be in left field and DH from time to time."

Mike Trout underwent his second torn meniscus surgery on Aug. 9. The procedure will require six months to heal. He's expected to be ready and healthy for 2025 spring training.