Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno could be selling the team very soon, meaning that Mike Trout could be available for a team like the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mike Trout has been in the major leagues with the Angels for parts of 12 seasons and for much of that span, he has been the best player in the sport. The problem is that the support staff around him has been flat-out atrocious, which is why he has been to the playoffs exactly once. In fact, he hasn’t even been on a winning team since 2015.
With Angels owner Arte Moreno looking to sell the team, the St. Louis Cardinals are a team that would love to have him. The Cardinals have traded for many other franchise stars before, including infielders Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, both of whom are NL MVP candidates in 2022.
The Cardinals are also perennial contenders who have been to the playoffs in 15 of the last 22 seasons. They are also one of a few teams that have the prospects to be able to get Trout in a deal.
Cardinals: What would it take to get Mike Trout in a trade?
Mike Trout has been injured a lot in recent years. He has not played in more than 140 games in a season since 2015 but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in the sport. That’s why it would still take a lot for the Cardinals to be able to trade for him.
Cardinals Get
OF Mike Trout
Angels Get
LHP Matthew Liberatore
3B/OF Jordan Walker
OF Dylan Carlson
RHP Gordon Graceffo
This would be a very good haul for the Angels, especially if the Cardinals take on all of his contract. If the Angels pay for part of it, they may be able to get even more in return.
The Angels desperately need some pitching. Graceffo and Liberatore are MLB.com’s No. 83 and 85 overall prospects and the Cardinals’ No. 3 and 4 prospects. Liberatore has already made his MLB debut and Graceffo has split the season between High-A and Double-A. He’d likely make his MLB debut next year or in 2024.
Walker is MLB.com’s No. 6 overall prospect so he’s the best piece in the deal. He’s tearing it up in Double-A (.308 average and a .920 OPS in 100 games there). He would be ideal for the Angels because he could replace Anthony Rendon at third base (since he has been injured and a disappointment) in the next year or two. If not, he can also play the outfield.
Dylan Carlson would immediately replace Trout in center field. The Angels would have at least three but likely four years of control with Carlson (depending on his Super Two status). He had a 3.3 rWAR season last year in his rookie season and has 1.9 rWAR this year, despite missing about three weeks due to injuries.
It would be a big trade for both sides and if Trout can be healthy, it could be a huge win for both sides if they pull it off this offseason.
