Mike Trout is not expected to be traded, and that calls one of baseball’s biggest deadline questions into focus before the Aug. 3 MLB cutoff. Sports Illustrated singled out Trout as one of three stars it believes will stay put, even as clubs around the league keep weighing moves.
The reason Trout remains such a central name is his season still looks productive in the middle of a difficult year for the Angels. He has played in 56 games and is hitting.239/.405/.487 with an.892 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBIs and a league-leading 52 walks. That kind of on-base production keeps his name alive in trade chatter, but it also explains why he remains more valuable to Anaheim than most teams would be able to replace quickly.
There is also the contract reality that keeps this from becoming a normal deadline rumor. Trout has a no-trade clause, and it would be surprising if he chose to let a deal happen. The Angels have been bad this season, which is exactly the sort of record that usually pushes teams toward selling, but this case is different because any move would need Trout’s approval.
That leaves the market with a familiar star and an unusual obstacle. Trout’s name will keep coming up as the deadline approaches, yet the most important decision may not belong to the Angels at all. If a contender calls, the bigger question is whether Trout would ever say yes.
