The Los Angeles Angels lost 11-10 to the New York Yankees in the first game of a three-game set on Monday, but Angels’ star Mike Trout seems to be in his old form, as Trout and Aaron Judge went home run for home run in the contest.
Trout hit two go-ahead two-run homers in the contest, but it wasn’t enough. Perhaps the only reason Stephen A. Smith touched on Mike Trout’s performance is due to the fact that he’s a Yankees fan, and he could have used the topic as filler on his daily show, ‘First Take’ on ESPN, but Stephen A. Smith used the opportunity on his show to drop a hot take on Mike Trout.
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Stephen A. Smith Asks if Mike Trout Can ‘Demand a Trade’ From Angels
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at bat during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 31, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
It’s pretty well known that Stephen A. Smith isn’t the most knowledgeable on Major League Baseball, but he dropped a hot take regarding Mike Trout on his show Monday morning by saying:
“But on behalf of myself, baseball lovers everywhere, and I’m a dedicate this quick take to my boy Jeff, one of my best friends on the planet that lives out here in California, my man Jeff Brown. Can we call Mike Trout out? This is one of the greatest talents we have ever seen in the history of baseball. Yo Mike Trout, we love you man, we can’t get enough of watching you, when you’re healthy, which is rare these days. Can you demand a trade?”
Smith goes on to imply that Mike Trout is just ‘chilling’ in Southern California and ‘doesn’t want to win’. It’s a little bit more complicated than that, Stephen A., but he may have somewhat of a point. The MLB world wants to see Mike Trout succeed and reach the playoffs. The Angels haven’t made the playoffs since 2014.
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Should Mike Trout Demand a Trade?
The Angels could attempt to find a trade partner for Mike Trout, but it would be kinda hard with his $420+ million contract.
However, there are teams in MLB that can afford that pricetag *cough cough*, like the Phillies and/or Mets, Yankees.
If Mike Trout continues to be productive this summer, it will be interesting to see if this bold take by Stephen A. Smith materializes at all.
Despite a .224 average to start the season, Trout has scored 16 runs (MLB lead) with four home runs, three doubles, and 15 walks. His on-base percentage is .400, and Trout’s OPS+ is 154 in 58 at-bats.
Food for thought here, but personally, I agree with Smith here. MLB may be in a better place if Trout is traded.
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