Think about Will Smith, a 34-year-old journeyman pitcher with unremarkable stats over his 13-year career. Yet through a bizarre turn of events, Smith managed to get himself traded to three straight World Series championships from 2021 to 2023, becoming the first player in MLB history to make a title team three years consecutively with different squads. Now think about Mike Trout. At 32, Trout has already garnered 11 All-Star nods and three MVP awards. He is a generational, once-in-a-lifetime talent. Yet, the difference between Trout and Smith is that one has three rings and October glory while the other has none. Despite his statistical brilliance and certainty of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Trout remains the player furthest from postseason success that I can imagine. But who do we really blame?

A glance at Trout’s impressive record of accomplishments leaves little room for criticism towards him. This seemingly shifts the focus of responsibility toward a more conspicuous candidate: could it be the Los Angeles Angels?

Mike Trout found a friend in Shohei Ohtani, but couldn’t find any luck

Mike Trout made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of baseball’s biggest stars. However, team success eluded Trout and the Angels in those early years. They made the playoffs once in 2014, only to be swept 0-3 in the ALDS by the eventual American League champion Kansas City Royals. The Angels’ fortunes seemed poised to change in 2018 with the arrival of two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani.

via Imago

Suddenly, Trout had another talented star to share the spotlight with. But even after the addition of Ohtani, the Angels didn’t witness October baseball. There’s no debate that the LA Angels wasted the prime of Ohtani and Trout. Ohtani is gone, and honestly, good for him. Trout, (unfortunately) is signed to a 12-year, $426 million contract, extending to 2030. Last February, Trout spoke about his dynamic with the Japanese sensation.

The 11x All-Star said, “I’ve got a great relationship with Shohei over the years. Obviously, what you see on the field is remarkable. What a great teammate. What a great friend. Even [interpreter] Ippei [Mizuhara], too. Just the way they’ve treated everybody with such a superstar status with respect.’’

Appraising Trout’s HOF resume

No World Series? So what? In all honesty, we do have a complicated Hall of Fame that doesn’t have Barry Bonds or Alex Rodriguez. But that’s an argument for another day. Mike Trout, just look at his numbers. Through 13 seasons, Trout has already amassed 85.2 wins above replacement (WAR), exceeding the 67 average among Hall of Famers. He’s batting .301 for his career with 1,624 hits, 368 home runs, 940 RBIs, and 1,106 runs scored.

If he were to retire today at age 32, these numbers make a very strong indication that he’s going to walk into the Hall of Fame. Maybe not with the same percentage as Derek Jeter, but what difference does that make? His individual stats already warrant enshrinement as one of the best players of this generation.

What’s next for MLB’s stranded superstar?

Mike Trout’s been through a lot with the Angels, dealing with one bad decision after another from the front office and battling injury after injury. Yet, he’s never backed down or lost his loyalty to the team. But honestly, I can’t help but wonder if the LA Angels’ management is even worthy of someone like him. Don’t get me wrong, the fans in Anaheim are amazing. They show up every season, cheering their hearts out and standing by their players. But the front office? Do they really deserve the dedication of a player as committed as Trout?

Born in New Jersey, Trout is a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan. There was a buzz before the offseason that Trout might engage in talks with the Phillies regarding a possible trade. However, that prospect seems to have faded now. The fact of the matter remains – the longer Trout stays in Anaheim, the further he’ll get from the postseason.

Before 2023, Trout got candid about perpetual postseason misses, and you can’t help but feel for him. He said, “It’s been six years now since we’ve been playing [together with Ohtani] and we haven’t been to the playoffs. …It sucks losing. Everybody hates losing. If there’s any year we need to get to the playoffs, it’s this year.’’

Mike Trout’s situation gets to me sometimes. In baseball, your legacy is tied to both your personal achievements and the championship rings you bag. Legends like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, or Derek Jeter — they had the stats and the team success. That’s why they’re icons. Then there’s Trout, who’s career is a mix of awe and irritation. The guy’s undeniably talented, probably one of the best, and he’s a shoo-in for Cooperstown. But he definitely wants more than that…