Mike Trout Has Clear Message With Angels Facing Trade Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Angels have dealt with an injury to their best player and an unexpected coaching change, but they’re still standing. The team is 47-48 heading into Sunday’s bout with the Arizona Diamondbacks despite future Hall of Famer Mike Trout previously missing time with a knee injury and manager Ron Washington stepping away for health reasons.

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Los Angeles is three games behind the Seattle Mariners for the AL’s third and final Wild Card spot. The club has a chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

However, the front office must decide how confident it is in its squad. If it thinks this success is a mirage, it could be sellers rather than buyers as the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches.

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout (27)Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Trout thinks that the front office believes in the club, via The Athletic’s Sam Blum.

“I think they know [of the team’s potential]. They’re down here, they see it and they feel it,” the three-time AL MVP said. “They know the guys we got in this clubhouse. It’s fun to come to the ballpark.”

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The Angels are 5-5 in their last 10 games and are 24-22 at home.

One of the players who could be traded is closer Kenley Jansen, via Blum. The 37-year-old, who is MLB’s active saves leader, signed a one-year deal with Los Angeles this past offseason. He has a 3.38 ERA and 16 saves over 38 appearances this season.

The Angels will hit the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies after the All-Star break.

Related: Angels Star Mike Trout Sends 5-Word Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Message

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.

With the July 31 trade deadline looming, the Los Angeles Angels find themselves in a familiar but tricky position — on the fringe of postseason contention and facing a pivotal organizational decision. But if you ask franchise icon Mike Trout, the message to the front office is simple: believe in this team.

“I think they know,” Trout said when asked if management sees the club’s potential. “They’re down here, they see it and they feel it. They know the guys we got in this clubhouse. It’s fun to come to the ballpark.”

Trout’s vote of confidence comes at a time when the Angels, sitting at 47-48 and just three games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, have outperformed preseason expectations. A year removed from a 99-loss season and plagued by injuries — including Trout’s own absence with a knee issue — Los Angeles has stayed afloat in a muddled American League playoff race.

Whether that’s enough to convince general manager Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno to buy at the deadline remains unclear. The front office has a history of bold, short-term thinking under Moreno, who is known for prioritizing immediate contention over long-term stability.

The Angels could be Wild Card contenders

Veteran closer Kenley Jansen, signed this offseason to a one-year deal, acknowledged that uncertainty but made his intentions clear. “Not finishing here would be disappointing,” Jansen told The Athletic. “I came here to try to help this team turn it around, to get at least a wild-card spot.”

Jansen, 37, has a 3.38 ERA and 16 saves over 38 appearances. He could be one of the Angels’ more valuable trade chips if the team decides to sell. Other candidates include infielder Luis Rengifo — on an expiring contract — along with Yoan Moncada, Tyler Anderson, and even young assets like Reid Detmers and Jo Adell if the Angels opt for a more aggressive shake-up.

Still, there’s internal belief that this team can do something special.

“We’ve said it since spring training; we’re going to shock a lot of people,” shortstop Zach Neto said. “That’s not about proving people wrong, it’s just what we believe in. That we’re going to make it to the playoffs.”

Interim manager Ray Montgomery echoed the sentiment, praising the group’s chemistry and work ethic. “This is the best group that we’ve had in terms of camaraderie and the way guys interact,” he said.

Despite being in the thick of the Wild Card race, predictive models remain skeptical. FanGraphs gives the Angels just a 5.2% chance to reach the postseason, citing their negative run differential and the crowded field of contenders.

But sometimes, numbers don’t tell the whole story. Jansen spoke to the emotional side of the push. “I believe Mike Trout should play in the postseason. He deserves that,” he said. “If some days you feel like you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for Mike, do it for the others. Do it for the fans.”

For a franchise that hasn’t tasted playoff baseball since 2014, the next three weeks could define not just the season, but the future. The Angels might not have a perfect team, but they’ve got belief — and, as Trout made clear, that might be enough to convince their front office to make one more push.

Angels at a Crucial Crossroads

As the trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Angels are facing a crucial moment that could fundamentally alter the trajectory of their franchise. This pivotal decision isn’t solely about the current season; it encapsulates a fundamental philosophical dilemma: should the organization commit to a thorough rebuild or grasp at the fleeting hope of a postseason appearance?

The Burden of Unmet Aspirations

The Angels have been ensnared in a cycle of unfulfilled potential for years. Despite having some of baseball’s brightest talents such as Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, postseason success has remained tantalizingly out of reach. The frustration felt by their fanbase is intensifying, especially as their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, continue to find success. This discontent among the supporters creates mounting pressure on the Angels’ front office to implement significant decisions that resonate beyond the here and now.

The Rationale for a Rebuild

Opting for a rebuild could herald a rejuvenated chapter for the organization, providing an opportunity to cultivate promising young talent. The Angels are sitting on a reservoir of assets that, if strategically traded, could serve to fortify their future. By parting ways with established players who possess high trade value, the franchise could acquire a slew of promising prospects. These young players could potentially form the foundation of a resilient and competitive team in the years to come, addressing both present concerns and laying the groundwork for sustainable success.

The Temptation of the Playoffs

Conversely, the magnetic allure of a playoff pursuit casts a long shadow over the decision-making process. The excitement surrounding October baseball can compel management to make moves geared toward enhancing immediate chances of a postseason run. However, history has taught us that this mindset can often lead to short-sighted decisions, risking the long-term viability and health of the franchise. The charm of a playoff appearance, while enticing, needs to be weighed against future prospects.

Charting the Path Ahead

As the Angels deliberate their next steps, the stakes could not be higher. The resolution they arrive at will significantly affect their current roster and send a clear message about the franchise’s future direction to players and fans alike. Striking a balance between the desire for immediate gratification and the imperatives of long-term strategy is a complex challenge, one that demands a coherent vision and decisive measures.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment

At this critical juncture, the Angels find themselves at a crossroads that could define their identity for years to come. Whether they invest in a significant rebuild or chase a playoff aspiration, the ramifications of their choices are set to reverberate throughout the organization. As the fanbase watches with bated breath, the Angels must thoughtfully assess which path will ultimately guide them toward the success they have long pursued, ensuring their decisions today echo positively in the seasons yet to unfold.