With the Angels dealing with many injuries, there have been a lot of trade rumors surrounding former AL MVP Mike Trout.
It's hard to imagine Los Angeles partying ways with the five-tool slugger, especially with the team recently rattling off a three-game weekend sweep of the Mariners to put itself just five games under .500 at 16-21. Still, if the club begins to falter, the trade speculation won't be going anywhere.
With the rumors swirling, the Boston Globe recently listed the Yankees as the No. 1 possible destination for Trout. Though it's unlikely the Angels will move him anytime soon, here are three reasons why it would make sense for Trout to don the pinstripes and join the rich history of Yankee outfielders.
1) Home, Sweet Home (Almost)
Though he's now a California King, Trout grew up in Millville, N.J., a mere 140 miles from Yankee Stadium. It's possible a return to the East Coast could give Trout extra motivation, especially playing for a team with the winning history of the Yankees. However, it doesn't seem the outfielder has any issues living in California.
"I've seen it," Trout told MLB.com of the trade chatter last week. "I just laugh about it. I love where I'm at. I love Anaheim, the stadium, the organization, and obviously the teammates. Teams go through injuries. That's the way it is."
2) Perfect Timing
The Yankees are set to shed a ton of salary as Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira's hefty contracts are set to come off the books at the end of this season and CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez, who has vowed to retire when his deal expires, will see their contracts expire in 2017. That sets up a lot of cash for the Yankees to take on the contract of Trout, who is currently in the midst of a six-year, $144.5 million deal that keeps him under contract until 2021.
New York also has the assets to pull off a deal. Though general manager Brian Cashman is unlikely to part ways with some of his key prospects, the likes of pitcher Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge, shortstop Jorge Mateo and/or reliever Dellin Betances could be used in a package to land Trout. It's also possible Cashman directs that money toward another phenom in Bryce Harper if the Nationals let him hit the open market in a couple of years.
3) Money Men
As the Globe points out, Angels general manager Billy Eppler has a history with Cashman, as the L.A. GM used to serve as a scouting director and assistant general manager for the Yankees. Given their relationship, Eppler could eventually open up discussions with Cashman should the Angels continue to stumble and the Yankees interest spike. Eppler also has a vast knowledge of the prospects the Yankees have due to his time as scouting director for New York.
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