The Philadelphia Phillies may have opened the season in rough fashion, but recent adjustments have given them new energy, and there’s still ample time to recover.
Over the past week, the team finally found its rhythm, putting together a strong 5–1 stretch against the San Francisco Giants and the Miami Marlins. Although they remain below .500 because of their early-season issues and a 10-game losing streak, they’re beginning to resemble the squad many expected them to be.
Despite the improvement, some concerns remain—particularly on offense. Run production will be under close scrutiny moving forward, as the lineup has struggled significantly against left-handed pitching and clearly needs a reliable right-handed hitter in the heart of the order.
Meanwhile, with the Los Angeles Angels continuing to underperform, speculation around star outfielder Mike Trout is likely to heat up again. For Philadelphia, acquiring him could make a lot of sense, especially now that he’s back to full health.
Trout Would Be a Perfect Fit
It has been a tough couple of years for the former AL MVP. Injuries have derailed what was becoming one of the best careers for a right-handed hitter in baseball, but the good news is that he is healthy and performing well. Unfortunately for the Angels, that hasn’t resulted in more wins for the team.
So far this season, Trout has slashed .258/.433/.550 with 10 home runs and 21 RBI. It has been great to see him healthy and playing well, and that will make him a desirable trade target. With a love for Philadelphia, the star slugger has always been mentioned as a player they should pursue. However, he has stayed with the Angels for his whole career, but at 34 years old, the time to leave might be now.
Trout still has four years left on his contract with an annual salary of just over $37 million. That is a steep number, but one that Los Angeles might be willing to eat some of depending on the trade package in return.
For the Phillies, there would be few better fits for their lineup with his ability to hit left-handed pitching well and also play the outfield. However, with a no-trade clause, it would be all up to Trout.
