Mike Trout: Is He Flirting with a New Position?

For over a decade, Mike Trout, the star of the Los Angeles Angels, has dominated Major League Baseball as a center fielder. The 33-year-old, who last played a different position in 2013, is now facing a potential position change, a development long rumored but consistently dismissed by him. Trout, a three-time MVP, has suffered numerous injuries over the past four years. His injury record from last year is telling: after only 29 games, his season ended in April due to two meniscus surgeries. In a conversation with reporters on Monday, Trout revealed that he is indeed considering a position change. "There will definitely be discussions in the offseason,” he said. "I know that’s a reality. I have a few more years on my contract, and I knew when I signed it that I’d eventually have to transition to a corner position." His priority is to stay healthy. After several injuries, including a hamate bone fracture and calf issues in recent years, this is understandable. However, Trout assured that he currently feels "great" and has already started agility training and swinging exercises again. The details of his latest injury remain unclear. The Los Angeles Angels were unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the recurrent meniscus injury in early August. "I can’t say exactly when it happened,” Trout explained. “It just became very painful. I was out with my family, and when I got home, I felt it." Trout plans to hold intensive discussions with his family and team during the offseason to discuss possible adjustments in his preparation for the upcoming season. He emphasized that he was confident going into the current season, but the recurring injuries give reason to reconsider everything. "Everything is on the table," Trout emphasizes, adding that his ultimate goal is to be present daily both in the outfield and at the plate. Whether this will be in a new position or as a designated hitter will be decided in collaboration with the Angels' front office.