After quick reflection on '23, Trout discusses his future

ANAHEIM -- The media session was just one question in when superstar Mike Trout couldn’t hold back his emotions when describing how it feels to have another season end prematurely due to injury.

Trout, standing in front of his locker before Monday before the Angels’ 5-1 loss to the Rangers, was shut down for the season on Sunday, when he was transferred to the 60-day injured list with his left hamate fracture. Trout suffered the fracture on a swing on July 3, underwent surgery on July 5 and returned on Aug. 22, only to suffer a setback in that game because he tried to return too soon.

“It’s frustrating,” said Trout, as he tried to fight back tears. “It’s better now. But I wanted to get back. It’s tough. It’s been hard on me, yeah.”

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Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, was limited to 82 games this season after playing in 119 last year and 36 in 2021. The 32-year-old also found himself the subject of trade rumors two weeks ago, when a report in the USA Today indicated the Angels would be open to trading him if he wanted out because the club hasn’t made the postseason since 2014.

Trout, who signed a 12-year deal worth $426.5 million before the 2019 season, remains under contract through 2030, earning $37.1 million annually, and has a full no-trade clause. He said he meets with the front office and ownership every offseason but fully expects to be with the Angels next season.

“I go through this every year,” Trout said. “These are private conversations I have with [owner] Arte [Moreno] and [president] John [Carpino]. I’m doing the same thing I’ve done the last 13 years. Going into the offseason, clearing my mind, getting ready for spring and wearing an Angels uniform in spring.”

Trout, though, was then asked to clarify what he meant and if there was any chance he’d waive his no-trade clause. He wouldn’t explicitly say he doesn’t want to be traded but repeated that he doesn’t expect his status to change this offseason.

“I’ve got seven years left on the contract,” Trout said. “There’s a lot of speculation out there. And like I said, I come in every year, I sit back two to three weeks, enjoy the family, clear my mind and then have conversations with the front office every single offseason. Nothing's changed.”

Trout called his hamate fracture the most frustrating injury of his career because it was such a freak accident. He said he hired specialists in the offseason to help him keep his body in shape throughout the season and it was all going to plan until he fractured his hamate on a swing at Petco Park.

He returned seven weeks later to play against the Reds. But after going 1-for-4 with an infield single and feeling pain on every swing attempt, it became clear he wasn’t quite ready to return. He said he’s now getting close to being fully healthy, which will allow him to have a normal offseason, but ran out of time with six games left this season.

“This was the toughest,” Trout said. “It’s my hand. You use your hands for everything when you're swinging. I did everything I could to get back as fast as I could. I might’ve jumped the gun a little bit. But I wanted to be out there with my guys.”

With the Angels finishing out a club-record eighth straight losing season, there’s also uncertainty regarding the front office and manager Phil Nevin’s status. General manager Perry Minasian remains under contract through next season. Nevin signed a one-year deal after last season.

Trout was asked if he believes the front office could build a winner. He pointed to the club’s young core that includes first baseman Nolan Schanuel, shortstop Zach Neto and catcher Logan O’Hoppe.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys who came in,” Trout said. “And if you look at what happened over the year, you don’t see it. I mean, in April, when we were in the Major Leagues, our first baseman was taking college at-bats. But I could go through the whole roster.”

He also expressed how much he enjoys playing for Nevin, who is regarded as a players’ manager.

“I love Phil, I love playing for Phil,” Trout said. “He takes care of his guys. You know he wants the best for the team. And that was another thing about not being out there, because I know how much he cares about us.”