How Mike Trout Was 'Left Behind' As Shohei Ohtani Wins Two Rings
Mike Trout, a three-time MVP and one of baseball's greatest talents, has not played in a postseason game since 2014, marking the longest active playoff drought for a player of his caliber. Now 34, Trout continues his career with the Los Angeles Angels, holding an 87.5 WAR—the highest ever for a modern player without a postseason win.
The Angels have not made the playoffs since they were swept in the 2014 ALDS by Kansas City. The franchise’s last postseason victory came in 2009, the same year Trout was drafted.
In March 2019, Trout signed a 12-year, $426 million contract extension, which was the richest in North American sports history at the time. The deal still has about $190 million remaining and extends through 2030.
"I've got (five) more years on the contract," Trout told The Athletic in September. "I feel like I've got a lot left in my tank. And I know when it's right, I can be the best."
Trout has repeatedly stated he would never ask for a trade, considering it "the easy way out," according to multiple sources.
Shohei Ohtani, Trout’s former teammate for six seasons, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023. Since then, Ohtani has won World Series titles in each season away from Anaheim.
During their shared time with the Angels, Trout and Ohtani appeared together in only 46.6% of the games, with the team recording a 194-211 record in those matches.
Author's Summary
Despite Mike Trout's exceptional talent and long-term commitment to the Angels, his postseason opportunities lag behind Shohei Ohtani’s recent championship success.