It is fun to imagine an Atlanta Braves outfield of Mike Trout, Michael Harris, and Ronald Acuña Jr., giving Atlanta's outfield a combined four MVPs. However, this is where it is important to point out the financial impossibility of this, with Trout still owed over $ 170 million on his current contract. Any accepted deal should leave the Angels responsible for at least a portion of the remaining money on Trout's deal.
This is due both to the outfielder's age and unreliable health. Even if you manage to overcome this hurdle, you are then facing the reality of the veteran's no-trade clause, giving Trout full power over any potential deal. If the outfielder were to be dealt, he maintains full power over how any trade would play out. All of this combined makes any potential Braves trade for the superstar a complete pipe dream. However, this shouldn't stop Atlanta's front office from at least reaching out and exploring the impossible.
Braves Should Gauge Angels' Asking Price for Mike Trout
Atlanta has a well-established relationship with the Angels front office, already working out a swap early this season. While this doesn't open the door to pull off an impossible trade, it at least makes it possible to find out if Trout is even open to a move. The Braves actually being able to pull off adding the former MVP remains close to impossible. Still, it is worth asking, as it appears Trout could soon follow Ohtani out the door.
The only thing that could slow this is if the team's surprising start to the season were to continue. For the sake of former Atlanta coach Ron Washington, many Atlanta fans can't help but cheer for the franchise. Washington's energy and leadership are unquestionably missed by the Braves roster and their fans.
The Angels manager is yet another link to a franchise that should at least be open to the Braves exploring the possibility. Trout remains a force when healthy. It is fun to imagine what the former MVP might accomplish in a lineup as talented as Atlanta's. Never has Trout been afforded the chance to play with this level of talent and power. Perhaps the additional support would breathe life back into the veteran's numbers and help sustain his production through the end of a hefty contract.
However, this is once again where it is important to stress how unlikely any potential deal is. It would require the dominoes of Trout waiving his no-trade clause, the Angels taking a portion of the contract, and Atlanta willing to make an extremely risky blockbuster of a deal. All of this adds up to a fun move that simply isn't going to happen.