Los Angeles Angels superstar outfielder and generational talent Mike Trout has been one of the top players in Major League Baseball for over a decade. He debuted in 2011 at the age of 19 and won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in his first full season in 2012.
Trout is a three-time MVP, 11-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger, two-time All-Star Game MVP and an elite defender. Unfortunately, Trout has struggled to stay healthy over the last four seasons and played in just 29 games in 2024.
The baseball world wants to see a healthy Trout again, and many people want to see him play on a contending team. He has played in only three career playoff games, all in 2014.
Jackson Holliday's take on Phillies-Mike Trout union is completely insane
Baltimore Orioles middle infielder and former top prospect Jackson Holliday recently shared his thoughts on where Trout should be playing baseball.
"I think the [Philadelphia] Phillies would do anything to get him,” Holliday said (h/t Essentially Sports). “I think they would give away their whole farm system ‘cause he’s from Philly, you know. I don’t know why he wouldn’t be open to that."
It’s odd that Holliday was worrying about Trout and the Phillies since neither of them has anything to do with him or the team he plays for. The idea of Trout playing for the Phillies has been a dream for years. Holliday isn’t the first person to flirt with the concept.
Trout is from Millville, New Jersey, less than an hour away from Philadelphia. He grew up a huge fan of the city’s sports teams and regularly attends Eagles games in South Philadelphia as a season ticket holder.
Trout’s loyalty to the Angels is respectable. The organization hasn’t had much success since he was drafted, but he stayed with them and signed a massive 12-year contract extension in 2019.
The 33-year-old has a lot of baseball ahead of him. It remains to be seen if he can avoid serious injury moving forward, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the game’s best players.
The Phillies would love to have the hometown kid play his home games at Citizens Bank Park. His no-trade clause and close to $40 million annual salary make that dream difficult. Not to mention the insane package of players the Phillies would have to put together to make a trade happen.
Trout has a career .299 batting average with 378 home runs and 954 RBI. He’s a five-tool player and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The Phillies have a need in the outfield, but a trade for Trout is highly unlikely.
Who knows, maybe Trout will suit up for his hometown team before his career is over. At the very least, it's fun to think about Trout and Bryce Harper in the same lineup.