"Is the 'Trout Era' Coming to an End? Angels Might Trade Trout, with MLB Media Naming the Padres as the Best Destination

Is Mike Trout, the star player of the Los Angeles Angels, about to leave Anaheim? According to the American media outlet TWSN, in order to completely escape the bottom of the AL West, the Angels, under the leadership of new Japanese manager Kiyoshi Suzuki, may trade "Trout." The report explicitly identifies the San Diego Padres as the top buyer, aiming to build a super team capable of competing with the "Cosmic Dodgers."

Now 34 years old and a three-time AL MVP, Trout’s performance has declined in recent years due to injuries. In the 2025 season, he not only moved to right field but was eventually forced to become a designated hitter (DH) because of a left knee injury, finishing with a batting average of just .232. Despite this, the report believes Trout still possesses the power to hit over 25 home runs in a season, making him a crucial reinforcement for the Padres, who lack a key power hitter.

The Padres face the "Cosmic Fleet" Dodgers directly in the NL West, watching their rivals complete back-to-back World Series championships, testing the patience of their management. If they can acquire Trout to join Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., forming an "MVP-level" lineup, the Padres would have enough firepower to challenge the Dodgers’ dominance. The report describes this move as "not just an upgrade, but a declaration of war against Shohei Ohtani."

Trout is currently under contract with the Angels through 2030 and holds full no-trade rights. Although he has repeatedly expressed a desire to spend his entire career with the Angels, given the team’s consecutive playoff absences, whether he will pursue his championship dreams in San Diego has become the biggest offseason storyline.

If the trade happens, fans will frequently witness the classic matchup of "Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout" from the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) final playing out during the regular season. These former teammates will become division rivals, undoubtedly becoming the hottest topic of the new season.