Philadelphia Phillies Rumors: Could The Angels Trade Mike Trout To The Phillies?

With a record of 26-24, the Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the biggest surprises so far in the 2016 MLB season. For a team that was expected to have the worst record in the entire league, the fact that they have a winning record at the end of May is impressive. While the Phillies are off to a hot start, they have been struggling over the past few weeks, and it appears as though they finally may be coming back down to Earth. Regardless of how the team’s season ends, the Phillies and their fans have a lot to be hopeful for in the coming years. In addition to a strong farm system, the team also has some of the best prospects in baseball already in the majors.

While the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have stated recently that they are not going to trade outfielder Mike Trout, the latest rumors are saying that their hands could be forced, and Philadelphia could be a potential landing spot. At only 24-years-old, Trout is already one of the MLB’s best players, and he likely has not even reached his prime yet. Raised in Millville, New Jersey, which is a small town 40 miles outside of Philadelphia, Trout grew up a fan of the Phillies. While the MLB is a business and Trout’s childhood allegiances are not going to be the main factor in a potential deal, it is likely that he would welcome a move to his hometown if the Angels ever decided to trade him.

As CSN Philly reports, the Angels’ organization is not currently in a good spot, and trading Trout could be in their best interest for the long-term future of their franchise.

“Yes, the Angels are going to trade Mike Trout. It may not happen this year or even next year, but eventually Angels GM Billy Eppler will accept the reality of the bleak future ahead for his franchise.”

While Trout is only in the second season of a six-year deal that is worth nearly $20 million, the contract is actually still a bargain for the Angels. Regardless of Trout’s team-friendly deal, it is going to be extremely difficult for the organization to win in the next few years. In addition to still owing 36-year-old Albert Pujols millions of dollars until 2021, the Angels have one of the worst farm systems in the entire league, according to Baseball Prospectus.

While the Phillies are still a few years away from being legitimate contenders, their farm system is one of the best in baseball, according to Baseball Prospectus. Since the Angels are going to eventually have to replenish their farm system with young talent, trading Trout is their best hope to expedite the process. Being only 24-years-old and on a team-friendly contract, any deal involving Trout is going to cost a fortune. While the Phillies are reportedly not interested in trading their prospects at the current moment, it is likely they would change their mind if Trout became available.

Fansided speculates on potential packages that the Phillies could offer the Angels to get the deal done.

“Now it would take a lot to pry Mike Trout away from the Angels but the Phillies have the pieces in the minors to make a run. Trout would also absorb a lot of the payroll with his six-year 144 million dollar contract but with Ryan Howard’s contract coming off the books at the end of the season that’s also not an issue. Now this leads us to question what would it take to acquire Trout. A trade would have to include at least 2-3 of the Philadelphia Phillies best prospects (possibly four to avoid parting ways with J.P. Crawford) and a major league ready piece or two. That’s a steep price but it’s the cost associated with acquiring a player with a career .308/.398/.560 slash line.”

A trade involving Trout would likely deplete the Phillies’ farm system, but it would be well worth it. It is not too often that a player of Trout’s age and ability becomes available, so the Phillies would likely be willing to pay a king’s ransom.

With the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continuing to struggle and the future looking bleak, there is a possibility that they consider trading Mike Trout. While the majority of the teams in the league would be interested in acquiring Trout, the Philadelphia Phillies may actually have the assets to get the deal done.

[Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images]