Mike Trout to Miss Remainder of 2024 Season
The Los Angeles Angels' struggles seem set to continue as General Manager Perry Minasian announced today that star outfielder Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. This latest setback is another blow for a franchise that has had its fair share of difficulties in recent years.
Trout, who sustained the injury on April 29, has not been on the field since. By that point, he had managed to participate in only 29 games, during which he had already showcased his power by hitting 10 home runs. Trout's absence has been keenly felt, and the injury serves as a grim reminder of his ongoing battle with various ailments that have limited his participation to just 266 out of a possible 648 games over the last four seasons—a participation rate of merely 41%.
Decline in Durability
The consistent issue with injuries becomes even more apparent when examining Trout's performance post-All-Star breaks between 2021 and 2024. Over these four seasons combined, he managed to play only 41 games, illustrating a concerning trend in his durability. With his 33rd birthday on the horizon, questions about his ability to remain a top-tier player are becoming increasingly pertinent.
In March 2019, Trout signed a massive 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels—a move that seemed to cement his status as the cornerstone of the franchise. However, as we enter year six of that contract, the implications are significant both financially and strategically for the team.
Financial Commitments and Team Performance
Trout remains under contract through 2030, with the Angels owing him $35.45 million annually from 2025 to 2030, totaling $212.7 million. This substantial financial commitment comes at a time when the Angels are grappling with internal inefficiencies and external pressures. Despite having both Trout and the dynamic two-way player Shohei Ohtani on the roster for six seasons, the Angels have yet to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance during this period.
Owner Arte Moreno has also imposed a restriction on the team’s ability to exceed the competitive balance tax threshold, further complicating their efforts to build a competitive roster. The only postseason appearance by the Angels during Trout's illustrious career was in 2014, and that ended in a Division Series sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals.
Ongoing Struggles
The Angels' struggles are not limited to injuries and financial constraints. The team has faced issues with poor player development, questionable free-agent signings, and a series of unsuccessful trades. Last August, the need to shed payroll to avoid the competitive balance tax highlighted the ongoing challenges the franchise faces.
Trout's recurring injuries and the significant amount of money still owed to him contribute to the perception that his contract could become a burdensome weight for the franchise moving forward. Pair this with the team's inability to share success while having two premier talents on the roster, and it's easy to see why the Angels have often been labeled as one of the most mismanaged franchises in baseball.
As the Angels look to the future, the hope is that they can navigate these turbulent times, learn from past mistakes, and chart a new course toward success. But with the shadow of Mike Trout's injuries looming large, it remains to be seen how quickly they can turn things around.