The crosstown rival Mets offered Juan Soto a record-breaking contract that, when all is said and done, may total $820 million over 15 years, leaving the New York Yankees with a massive hole in their lineup. How are Soto’s productions being replaced by the Bronx Bombers?
Teoscar Hernandez, a free agent from the Los Angeles Dodgers, is reportedly being considered by the Yankees. However, on Wednesday, fresh, undoubtedly irrational, and unlikely reports about another famous hitter from the opposing Los Angeles team started to circulate in baseball circles.
According to Wrightway Sports Network writer Matt Shovelson, “the Yankees are still in ready-to-win mode, but now that Juan Soto signed with the Mets, the Yankees need another star to pair next to Aaron Judge.” “Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels must be the star who is traded.”
Trout Trade a ‘Prediction, Not a Report’ — So Far
“This is a PREDICTION, not a REPORT!” Shovelson was quick to emphasize, to his credit.
After graduating from Millville Senior High School in Millville, New Jersey, and being selected 25th overall by the Angels in 2009, Trout made it to the Major Leagues less than two years later and immediately made a name for himself as one of the best players in the game, if not the greatest of all time.
Despite playing for a team that has only made the playoffs thrice in Trout’s 14-year career, he has won MVP awards three times and was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2012. In 2014, after winning the AL West Division, the Angels were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series.
Trout outperformed Soto in nearly every metric throughout the first seven years of his career. Soto hit 201 home runs, while Trout hit 235. His 1.000 OPS was higher than Soto’s.953. During those seven seasons, Trout’s hitting average was.310, while Soto’s was.285. Additionally, his Wins Above Replacement score of 64.1 was much higher than Soto’s 36.4.
Trout agreed to a 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension with the Angels prior to the 2019 campaign. However, Trout has six years left on the contract, which would make him 39, and the Angels don’t appear to be interested in making another run at the postseason.
According to an ESPN feature, Trout has no desire to play for the Yankees despite being from New Jersey and growing up as a Yankees fan who looked up to the team’s Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter.
Six Years to Go on Trout’s $37 Million Per Year Contract
Earlier this year, columnist Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com wrote, “Those who know Trout have noted over the years that there’s a certain comfort that comes with separating his home life in the Northeast from his baseball life in Southern California.” “He doesn’t seem to care about the publicity that would accompany playing for the Yankees.”
The 11-time All-Star stated in August that he would be open to moving from centerfield to a corner outfield position or even to designated hitter in an attempt to stay in the lineup. Trout missed the majority of the 2024 season, playing in just 29 games because he tore his left meniscus in his knee, the second injury to the same ligament.
Additionally, it is unclear if the Yankees, who were willing to pay Soto nearly $50 million annually, would be willing to spend $37 million on a player with Trout’s injury history. This implies that the Angels would have to pay a part of Trout’s salary while he, presumably, plays for the Yankees in order for a deal to succeed.
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