The future of Mike Trout
 

Is there any reason at all to still be an optimist? Or is he the living embodiment of Humpty Dumpty? If so what a shame.

I think he has a few decent years left if he moves to a permanent DH role. And he'll likely be in a perpetual cycle of physical therapy.

In his brief stint last year, while healthy, he hit .220. So far this year, he is hitting like .180. IMO he's lost it and not likely to find it. I hope I am wrong, he's a throwback good guy type.

He could have a few more good seasons, even Griffey managed to have some after the injuries started. Or even Grant Hill, he had those 4 seasons when he went to the Magic when it looked like he was done and he managed to finish his career with some decent seasons. Hard to say with Trout right now, who knows if he could've turned things around last season if he played more than 29 games.

I almost think that even if Mike Trout ends up batting .100, you keep him on the team as a player-coach. It's not like the Angels are a win-now (or win ever...) kind of team.

I can’t think of a more irrelevant career for a player that was considered the game’s best for a while. How many people have seen a meaningful Mike Trout moment? 3 playoff games, sub-.100 average, 11 years ago.

Shohei got out to go to a winning team. Trout elected to stay. I guess there's something to be said for loyalty, but it was not a reputation-enhancing move. I guess in hindsight it would not have mattered because of the injuries. In comparison, Betts and Harper, the other two great outfielders of that generation, have been involved in great numbers of meaningful games.