BALTIMORE — Mike Trout remains willingly attached to a franchise that seemingly can’t get out of an endless loop of losing.
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After the Angels finally made a series of trades that no doubt set them back in the short term in the hopes of reversing the long-term trajectory, Trout remains undeterred.
He said flatly that the new signs of a rebuild “haven’t changed anything” about his desire to stay.
“We’re not where we want to be, so doing what we did helps our future,” Trout said. “See where it goes.”
Trout, who turns 35 on Friday, has been with the Angels since 2011, winning three American League MVP awards. The Angels have only been to the playoffs once since he’s been in the majors, in 2014. They haven’t had a winning season since 2015.
Baseball fans and writers from around the country constantly ask why Trout doesn’t simply request a trade so he has a chance to finally experience a winning environment or play in October.
The Angels have drawn criticism for failing to make the necessary moves – painful as they might be in the short term – to change the direction of the franchise.
Now, maybe that process has finally begun.
“We’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror,” Trout said. “I think we’re not where we want to be. I think the best step and the best direction to turn things around is to do what we did. It’s tough seeing your teammates go. I built great relationships with all the guys. It’s a family. It’s a brotherhood. We see these guys more than our regular families. That’s the toughest thing, but we got some great guys in return. Some great prospects.”
Interim general manager John Mozeliak said after the deadline on Monday that he and Trout agreed that he wouldn’t be traded. Mozeliak also said he invited Trout into the room where the trade deliberations were taking place.
Trout said he just got to see “the plan.”
“It was good for Mo to do that, to build a relationship over the first couple weeks he’s been here,” Trout said. “Just being transparent. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
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BACHMAN TO IL
Right-hander Sam Bachman was placed on the injured list with right forearm radial nerve inflammation. The Angels recalled left-hander Tayler Saucedo.
Manager Kurt Suzuki said there’s no timetable for how long he’ll be out.
There have been signs of something wrong with Bachman since the Angels went nearly a week without using him late last month. He then pitched four times in eight days, with a slight decline in velocity and shaky command.
On Sunday, he was pulled immediately after throwing a pitch that registered at 92 mph. Bachman said after the game he was just dealing with “fatigue.” The Angels gave him a few days to see if it improved.
“We felt it wasn’t progressing like we hoped,” Suzuki said. “Instead of pushing and forcing the issue, we just feel like take a step back and really just make sure that everything’s OK and he’s being smart about it.”
NOTES
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder inflammation) reported that he felt good after Tuesday’s outing at Triple-A Salt Lake, despite walking five batters and giving up six runs in 1⅔ innings. Kikuchi threw 57 pitches and his fastball averaged 94 mph. Kikuchi is scheduled to start again at Triple-A on Sunday. …
The Angels still don’t have a starter scheduled for Friday’s game in Miami. The most likely candidate remains right-hander George Klassen, who on Wednesday was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month for July. Klassen had a 2.48 ERA in July, with 11 walks and 38 strikeouts. He has a 2.57 ERA since May 26. …
Newly acquired Moises Ballesteros has been the DH in his first two games with the Angels, but he’s scheduled to make his debut at catcher on Thursday.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Ryan Johnson, 2-6, 7.63 ERA) at Orioles (RHP Brandon Young, 8-2, 3.31 ERA), Thursday, 9:35 a.m. PT, ABTV, 830 AM
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