Angels: Should Mike Trout’s playing time be reduced this season?

The Angels 2016 season is almost at it’s end. They’ll be officially eliminated from playoff contention any day now. While management has stated they’re not going to wave the white flag, it may not be a bad idea.

Currently, the Angels have won two games in the month of August. They woefully sit in the bottom slot in the AL  West with a record of 49-69. Only the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves have a worse record.

The losing streak is now 11 games, the highest since 1999. If the Halos were in the hospital the doctor’s would have already announced the time of death. However, in sports you have to finish the season regardless of the win/loss record.

The Halos have just over a month and a half left in 2016, and this season can’t end soon enough. There’s no doubt that the Angels will attempt to be movers and shakers during the winter meetings. The questions surround the job status of Mike Scioscia and others will fill the airwaves of radio and TV all off-season long.

As a result, the Angels do not need any more attention drawn to them heading down the stretch of the regular season. The Angels should toy with the idea of rest starters during the last 40 games of the regular season.

Albert Pujols and Mike Trout should take more time off. Obviously, they both will not agree to it, they might even protest the idea. However, keep Trout and Pujols healthy has to be a top priority.

The Angels have one day off for the remaining of August. Trout and Pujols should avoid playing that many games when the playoffs aren’t involved.

The rest of the Halos schedule isn’t easy. This losing streak could balloon to 20+ games. Following the next two versus Seattle, the Yankee’s come to town for a four game set. Following the Yankee’s the Angels will face the Blue Jays, Tigers, and Reds to finish out August.

I would assume the Angels wouldn’t lose three-straight to the reds. However, the confidence i have in this team has slipped significantly. As a result, i can’t justify playing Trout and Pujols that much baseball this season.

The Angels need to save players and have them workout minimally for the remainder of the season. I know Pujols is only a DH right now. That doesn’t mean he still can’t suffer an injury that could set him back further than the foot injury that sidelined him in 2015.

Next: Richards on the comeback trail

This is a precautionary and controversial idea. I know it cheats the fans who want to see Trout and Pujols play. However, seeing both of these players when the Angels have a chance to make the post-season is far more important.