MLB analyst claims Mike Trout to Phillies trade possible only with a lopsided deal with Angels

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout has found it difficult to stay healthy in recent seasons. He only played 29 games this past season due to a torn knee meniscus that required surgery. The only time the three-time MVP has managed over 100 games in the last five years was in 2022.

Although he's still among the best hitters in baseball, his inability to stay healthy has cost the Angels, who are covering his 12-year, $426.5 million contract. That's around $35 million burning a hole in their payroll annually, which they could look to part with in the offseason.

However, former Phillies GM and MLB analyst Ruben Amaro Jr thinks a hypothetical trade to the Phillies would be heavily lopsided.

"That would look like the Angels giving the Phillies every amount—what is it, $300 million still? Maybe $200 or $220 million," Amaro said (35:00 onwards) on The Phillies Show. "The Phillies would have to get $200 million or $220 million back to make a trade with them. That’s as simple as it gets. I would do that, right? I would do that because the player is not available, he’s hurt all the time, and you can’t take that risk—not at those numbers.

"Listen, Mike Trout is a Hall of Famer, an amazing player, but he’s hurt; he doesn’t play. If the Angels want to pay his contract down and we dump a decent prospect on them, I’m in. Otherwise, I’m out. And let’s be honest, it’s not happening. It’s not going to happen."

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Mike Trout ready to move into corner outfield, DH if that's what it takes

While the Angels go about replenishing their roster to be competitive once again, Mike Trout spoke about his recovery.

Much of the debate around Trout not being healthy has stung the outfielder, who wants to stay on the field. But he's open to changing his position and taking up the DH role once in a while if it's in the team's best interest.

“I think everything's on the table,” Trout said via MLB.com. “Ultimately, my goal is to be in that batter's box, in the field every single day.

"Whether that's moving to a corner or DHing more, I’ll leave it up to the front office to come up with a plan. Where I'm at and what's happened the last few years, I’m definitely going to try to explore every option that can keep me out there.”

Mike Trout is looking forward to a healthy 2025 season. As for trade rumors, nothing seems likely, as the organization and the center fielder are committed to bringing the World Series to Anaheim before his contract runs out in 2030.