In the wake of recent chatter suggesting he could request a trade in the offseason, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout shot down the speculation on Monday.
The three-time American League MVP insists he will be back with the Angels in 2024.
¡°I go through this every year,¡± Trout told reporters prior to the club¡¯s Monday home game against the Texas Rangers. ¡°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 and going into spring wearing an Angels uniform.¡±
Trout was recently shut down for this season due to a fractured hand sustained on July 3. He returned to play one game on Aug. 22, felt pain while batting and went right back on the injured list.
With two-way standout Shohei Ohtani slated to become a free agent following the season, there has been a line of thinking that Trout might want to play elsewhere. He has a no-trade clause in his 12-year, $426.5 million extension that runs through the 2030 season.
¡°I got seven years left on the contract,¡± Trout said. ¡°I know there¡¯s a lot of speculation out there.... Nothing¡¯s changed.¡±
Trout, an 11-time All-Star, batted .263 with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs in 82 games this season.
The 32-year-old played 119 games last season and just 36 in 2021 because of injuries. The 2012 American League Rookie of the Year is a career .301 hitter with 368 home runs and 940 RBIs in 1,489 games.
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