5 Players LA Angels GM Billy Eppler May Consider Trading

5.) Mike Trout, OF

Okay, hear me out. In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys traded superstar running back Herschel Walker to the Vikings in a deal that included 18 players and draft picks. The Dallas Cowboys would go on to win three Super Bowls in the 1990’s. The Vikings still have not won the big one.

In 2013, the Brooklyn Nets traded a plethora of draft picks to the Boston Celtics for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The Celtics are a top four team in the Eastern Conference. The Nets have the bleakest future of any basketball franchise.

Of course in both those examples the players were older than Trout, but the case can be made that a Trout trade could thrust the Angels into contention for the next 15 years. The best player in baseball is on a long-term contract, and any team trading for him would immediately contend (given the teams with enough assets are already borderline contenders).

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Trade #1- Ship him across town to the Dodgers. The Dodgers are one of the few teams with enough assets to trade for Trout. This trade would put the Dodgers over the top, considering they are already contenders. The Dodgers could send pitcher Julio Urias, center fielder Joc Pederson, and top prospects Austin Barnes and Jose De Leon. This would give the Angels a superstar rotation in the coming years with a great future backstop in Barnes and a great left-handed power hitter in Pederson. That would fill many holes for the Angels, and would be a great starting point for the rebuild.

Trade #2- Bryant, Trout, and Arrieta oh my!- Is it crazy that as I write this article about the Cubs trading for Trout they are playing in Game Four of the World Series?

Yeah, it is. But it could also be reality. The Cubs have the best team on paper in the majors, but also the best farm system. The Cubs could trade DH Kyle Schwarber, infielder Javier Baez, and outfielder Jorge Soler. All three of those players fill upcoming holes for the Angels, and have amazing homerun power. This would fill nearly every defensive and offensive hole for the Angels. It would also free up major cap space for the Angels, and allow them to attack free agent pitchers.

No, I do not condone trading Mike Trout. However, the Angels would be a much more complete team by doing so.