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Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout’s Future in Question Following Ohtani Injury

By Phil Akre

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 31: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim high fives Shohei Ohtani #17 after a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 31, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 31: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim high fives Shohei Ohtani #17 after a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 31, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Angels
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim leads of first base in the first inning after walking against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Option 1: Keep Him

Trout is locked up through 2020 in LA. That means he hits the free agent market in time for the 2021 season. He’ll be 30 years old and still be in his prime.

If Trout stays in LA, the Angels still have two full seasons left to capitalize. The question is, can they actually do anything to build a winner?

If you look towards the front office, don’t. You really can’t fault GM Billy Eppler. He snagged Ohtani out of nowhere, only to have him fall to the dreaded UCL tear. He did put a fair amount of talent around Trout this season.

Next season, Ohtani will be unable to pitch if he undergoes TJ surgery. But, he’ll probably be able to hit at some point. His injury is just the latest edition of a sad series for the Angels. As Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com pointed out, six Angels’ pitchers have had TJ surgery in the last four years. Yikes.

With Ohtani, Trout, Andrelton Simmons and Justin Upton, the Angels still have five great pieces for a winning lineup.

Still, does the supporting cast around the bunch get the job done? Probably not. But, top propsect Jo Adell will be in the majors sooner than later.

Given the possibility of Ohtani’s return to the lineup in 2019, the Angels will probably want to give the Trout-Ohtani pairing its final two years (or more, if Trout is extended).

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