Los Angeles Angels GM Perry Minasian confirmed today that superstar outfielder Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. This unfortunate announcement culminates a season marred by injuries for the three-time MVP.
Trout has not played since April 29, when he initially suffered the meniscus tear. Up to that point, he had displayed flashes of his prodigious talent, hitting 10 home runs in just 29 games. However, this latest setback continues a troubling trend for Trout and the Angels organization.
Injuries Plague Trout's Recent Seasons
The past four seasons have seen Trout hampered by various ailments, limiting his on-field presence to just 41% of the possible games. From 2021 to 2024, he participated in only 266 of 648 games, significantly impacting the team’s performance and his availability. The second halves of these seasons have been particularly brutal, with Trout appearing in a mere 41 games post-All-Star break over the four-year span.
As Trout approaches his 33rd birthday next week, questions about his durability and the taxing nature of long-term contracts loom large. Signed to a 12-year, $426.5 million extension in March 2019, Trout's continued struggles to stay healthy are casting a shadow over the latter years of his deal. The Angels are committed to paying him $35.45 million annually from 2025 to 2030, totaling $212.7 million.
Financial and Strategic Implications for the Angels
The financial obligations tied to Trout’s contract have profound implications for the Angels’ future roster construction and strategic planning. Despite having both Trout and the electrifying Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have failed to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance in six seasons together. A portion of this can be attributed to the team's adherence to the competitive balance tax threshold, a restriction put in place by owner Arte Moreno.
The last time the Angels saw postseason action was during Trout's MVP-winning 2014 season, which ended in a disappointing sweep by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series. Trout's individual accolades continued, with another MVP title in 2019 and a top-five finish in 2020, yet team success remained elusive.
Challenges Beyond the Diamond
Beyond injuries, the Angels’ organizational struggles are multifaceted. Issues with player development, questionable free-agent signings, and unfruitful trades compound the team's difficulties. Last August, the team shed payroll to avoid surpassing the competitive balance tax threshold, highlighting their ongoing strategic challenges.
Trout's recurring injuries and the hefty financial commitment still owed to him amplify the franchise's burdens. Comparatively few teams have managed such high-profile players with considerable contracts while achieving sustained success, and the Angels appear to have misstepped on multiple fronts. Consequently, the franchise has often been labeled as one of the most mismanaged in baseball.
As the Angels navigate the complexities of their roster and finances, the compound effect of Trout’s health and contract will undoubtedly shape their future decisions. For now, fans and analysts alike are left to ponder what could have been had the stars aligned better for a player widely regarded as one of the greatest talents of his generation.