The Los Angeles Angels are a mess, and according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the blame points directly to the man in charge. In a recent piece that has the baseball world buzzing, Passan took a not-so-subtle shot at owner Arte Moreno’s refusal to trade franchise icon Mike Trout—despite the team sinking deeper into irrelevance with each passing season.
A ‘Bad Team’ with a ‘Bad Owner’—Insiders Say Trout Is Being Held Hostage
Sources close to the situation claim that Trout himself has privately referred to the Angels as a “bad team” run by a “bad owner.” While the three-time MVP has always been the picture of professionalism publicly, insiders say frustration has been boiling behind closed doors. Passan didn’t mince words, either, writing bluntly: “Mike Trout should be available, but there’s no indication owner Arte Moreno has relented on his unwillingness to move his franchise player.”
Let that sink in. The best player of his generation—a future Hall of Famer who has been stuck on a perpetual loser—could reportedly be had for the right price, but one man’s stubbornness allegedly stands in the way. The Angels sit at a pathetic 24-39, have not sniffed the playoffs since 2014, and play in a beautiful ballpark that might as well be a graveyard for championship dreams. And yet, according to reports, Moreno refuses to even entertain trade talks.
History Repeating—and It’s Only Getting Uglier
This isn’t just about one deadline. This is a pattern. Remember Shohei Ohtani? The Angels famously refused to trade him before he hit free agency, and what did they get in return? A bag of nothing. Now the two-way superstar—arguably the greatest player ever—is lighting it up for the crosstown rival Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Angels are left with nothing but regret and a losing record. Insiders fear they’re about to make the same catastrophic mistake with Trout.
One MLB executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, told us: “If they don’t trade Trout this summer, it’s not just stubborn—it’s malpractice. They’ll lose him for pennies on the dollar or watch him retire with zero playoff moments that define legends.” Another source reportedly warned that Trout’s no-trade clause could be waived only if a contender steps up, but Moreno’s refusal to even pick up the phone is allegedly killing any chance of a rebuild.
What This Could Mean for Baseball—and for Trout
The baseball world is watching this saga unfold with a mix of disbelief and anger. Trout is one of the most loyal stars the game has ever seen, but loyalty only goes so far when your owner won’t let you win. If Moreno truly cares about the franchise’s future—or Trout’s legacy—he needs to let go. Otherwise, he’s reportedly sabotaging not just a season, but the final chapters of a generational talent’s career.
Fans and analysts alike are now asking the same question: Is Arte Moreno willing to let Mike Trout rot in Anaheim out of sheer pride? According to reports, we may be about to find out.
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