TEMPE, Ariz. — The annual questions surrounding Mike Trout have only grown louder.
Trout has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career — albeit one recently stalled by injuries — while the Angels have struggled. The confluence has caused people from coast to coast to question why Trout simply doesn’t ask the Angels for a trade.
Trout, who signed a 12-year, $426-million contract five years ago, said it’s not in his nature to “take the easy way out.”
“When I signed that contract, I’m loyal,” Trout said before the Angels first full-squad workout of the spring on Monday. “I want to win a championship here. The overall picture of winning a championship or getting to the playoffs here is bigger satisfaction than bailing out and just taking the easy way out. So I think that’s been my mindset. Maybe down the road, if some things change, but that’s been my mindset ever since the trade speculation came up.”
When asked what could change, Trout said, “I can’t predict the future.” He then said he’s enjoyed his relationships with “everyone in the clubhouse and everyone in the organization” and that the change might come someday “if … people feel different.”
Those “people,” obviously start at the top.
Trout said he’s had regular dialogue with owner Arte Moreno, president John Carpino and general manager Perry Minasian, and he’s impressed upon them his desire to build a winning team.
“I’m in Perry’s ear,” Trout said. “I’m in the front office’s ear every day. We’ll see what happens.”
Trout said he’s been specifically “pushing” the Angels to add from the remaining free agents, a group that is led by pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery and outfielder Cody Bellinger. Trout didn’t say which free agents he’s endorsed.
“There’s a few guys out there that I’ve talked to that want to be here for sure,” Trout said. “I’m competitive. The guys that are out there are great players and great…
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