Franchise sale could finally force the Angels into a nuclear Mike Trout trade
A new era is beginning for the Los Angeles Angels after the franchise was sold to Stan Kroenke.
After years of uncertainty, Los Angeles Angels fans finally received the news they had been waiting for: Arte Moreno sold the franchise to Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke .
The change in ownership ends an era marked by a lack of team success and opens the door to a new chapter for the Angels. However, it could also have major implications for one of the greatest players in franchise history: Mike Trout .
ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney suggested that Kroenke’s arrival could increase the chances of the star outfielder seeking a way out, especially if his goal remains to compete in the postseason before the end of his career.
“One way or another, absolutely,” Olney wrote. “Trout always has the option to try to force his way off the Angels, and a new owner is more likely to consider that path than Moreno, who was never going to trade a future inner-circle Hall of Famer and the face of his franchise — and so that could now be a more viable option.”
Could Mike Trout leave the Angels?
While that possibility exists, Olney believes the most likely scenario is that Trout remains in Anaheim, at least for now.
The three-time American League MVP could wait to see Kroenke’s vision for the franchise and how the organization operates under new ownership, after spending virtually his entire career under Moreno’s leadership.
Additionally, trading Trout would not be an easy decision for the new owner, as parting ways with the face of the franchise could create a negative reaction among fans who are hoping for a positive transformation.
Kroenke purchased the Angels for $4 billion , a record amount in MLB history, slightly surpassing the $3.9 billion valuation reached in the recent sale of the San Diego Padres.
Trout, considered one of the best players of his generation, has spent his entire career with the Angels and became the face of the franchise. However, despite his remarkable individual achievements, the team has failed to reach the postseason during his tenure in Anaheim.
