MLB pundit predicts Braves trade for Mike Trout at deadline

The Angels watched Shohei Ohtani walk this offseason after balking at multiple trade offers at the 2023 deadline. Instead, they were buyers and shipped prospects off in exchange for one last push for the playoffs.

It was delusional thinking from an embarrassment of a franchise. Having the two greatest players in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani and never winning as much as one playoff game is almost too incompetent to understand. As Nesbitt continues, I also imagine that Trout isn’t happy finishing out his career in a rebuild.

“I think Mike Trout is much more unhappy than he is letting on with the Angels. I don’t think he wants to stay here through whatever they’re going to be doing.”

Trout is earning a ton of money and is certainly happy/grateful to be able to collect a $35+ million check every year. However, I don’t think it’s bold to say that he’s not satisfied with just earning money at this point in his career.

For as high a level of an athlete as Trout is, there’s no way I can see him being content with never getting a real crack at October baseball. I could totally see him forcing his way out of Los Angeles, even if he’s never seemed even mildly displeased with the organization.

There are a couple of obstacles to a potential deal, though. For the Braves, is there even room for him? Not on the payroll, but on the actual roster. Alex Anthopoulos acquired Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall this offseason to platoon in left field, and both are off to great starts.

With Michael Harris in center and Ronald Acuna in right field, the fit isn’t obvious. Then, there’s the payroll situation. The Braves do have a lot of future flexibility with several notable contracts coming off the books in the coming years, but there’s no way Atlanta would take on the entirety of Trout’s contract.

The Angels would have to eat some of the $35-ish million annually through 2030, and then MAYBE the Braves would make the trade. However, I seriously doubt Atlanta is willing to part ways with some of its young pitching talent in exchange for an aging, injury-prone Mike Trout to bolster an outfield that is already full.

On the other hand, Mike Trout is the greatest player of a generation and is still the best outfielder in baseball if he’s healthy. If the Braves run into a string of outfield injuries, I could see a potential trade if I close one eye and look really closely.

Realistically, the Braves will be making minor moves at the deadline to fine-tune an already-loaded roster, not making a blockbuster acquisition of Mike Trout. It’s fun to think about, but the logistics are just too wonky.

I do hope Trout gets traded to a contender, though. Baseball is starving for its brightest stars in October.