Mike Trout still hears the Phillies trade chatter: ‘I’m always going to get it’

PHILADELPHIA – Mike Trout can never get away from the trade speculation. 

Trout, a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, hears about it from his cushy front-row seats at Lincoln Financial Field. Talk radio will always connect the Angels superstar to his hometown Phillies. 

“I see it all the time,” Trout said. “I think just being a South Jersey kid, I’m always going to get it. Growing up, loved Philly. These were my sports teams growing up.” 

It’s not often that the Millville, N.J. native gets the chance to play in his hometown. He is starting in just his sixth career game at Citizens Bank Park, and first since June of 2022. Injuries prevented him from playing when the two teams met again in Philadelphia in 2023. 

Injuries in general have zapped Trout of his superstar powers. Since being crowned the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 2019, Trout has had only one season with over 400 plate appearances. Knee issues kept him out for most of the month of May this year. He dealt with a hamate fracture in 2023, and a calf strain in 2021 that ended his season in July. 

Trout has not played the outfield since April 30. He participated in outfield drills pregame for the first time in more than a month, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. 

“It’s just a slow – slow progression to get my feet under me,” Trout said. “Hopefully back in the outfield soon.”

Trout to Philly as a potential solution to the Phillies’ outfield woes this season is far fetched. He is the power bat the team needs from the right-hand side. His .836 OPS in 2025 would be second only to Kyle Schwarber among Phillies qualified hitters. 

But Trout is signed through 2030 at an over $35 million annual luxury tax hit. He is no longer a center fielder. His availability in the corner spots for this season has been spotty. The Phillies have one – probably two – designated hitters on the roster with Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. 

But even if Trout never plays in red pinstripes, he’ll forever be known as one of the best athletes to ever come out of the Philadelphia area. 

He’ll likely receive another warm welcome back before he takes his first at-bat in the top of the first.

“I just respect the fanbase,” Trout said. “I know how I am when I’m at the Eagles game. I know how they are, how they support their teams. That’s how I was growing up. Just the passion they have. The fans, you see it. They’re faithful.”