Angels’ Mike Trout says he doesn’t want to be traded, at least for now

Mike Trout discussed his future and Anthony Rendon talked about his priorities as the two Los Angeles Angels veterans made some interesting comments Monday with hitters reporting to spring training camps across Arizona and Florida.

Trout, a three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star who has played in only one postseason series, said he has no interest in requesting a trade even as the Angels retool following two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani’s move to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 32-year-old Trout has spent his entire 13-year career with the Angels and signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with them in 2019. The Angels went 73-89 last year for their eighth consecutive losing season. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2014, when they were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the divisional round.

“I think the easy way out is to ask for a trade,” Trout told reporters, including The Athletic. “There might be a time, maybe. I really haven’t thought about this. When I signed that contract, I’m loyal. I want to win a championship here. The overall picture of winning a championship or getting to the playoffs here is the bigger satisfaction than bailing out or taking the easy way out. I think that’s been my mindset. Maybe down the road, if some things change.”

Trout says he has continued to push owner Arte Moreno and upper management for free-agent additions that can boost the Angels following the departure of Ohtani, who signed a $10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.

“I’m going to keep pushing as long as I can,” Trout said. “Until the season starts or until those guys sign. It’s just in my nature.”

One big free-agent move the Angels did make in recent years was the signing of Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in December 2019 as he was coming off a World Series title with the Washington Nationals. Rendon, a two-time Silver Slugger winner in seven seasons with the Nationals, hasn’t played more than 58 games in any of his four years with the Angels because of injuries.

Rendon spoke Monday about how his enthusiasm for the game has remained the same throughout his career, but he also noted that baseball has “never been a top priority for me.”

“This is a job,” Rendon told reporters. “I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job.”

Rendon noted that getting married and having four kids has changed his perspective. But he also emphasized that baseball remains a priority, even if it isn’t his top priority.

“Oh, it’s a priority for sure,” Rendon said. “Because it’s my job. I’m here, aren’t I?”

OHTANI TAKES LIVE BP

Ohtani took live batting practice for the first time this spring as he returns from elbow surgery. The Dodgers posted video Monday of Ohtani homering.

The two-way player won’t be pitching this season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow on Sept. 19, but he’s hoping to be ready for the season opener as a hitter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani won’t play in the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener Thursday against the San Diego Padres.

MERRIFIELD SIGNS

The Philadelphia Phillies finalized their signing of three-time All-Star utilityman Whit Merrifield. They made room for him on the 40-man roster by designating right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort for assignment.

Although the Phillies didn’t disclose terms, a person familiar with the situation said it was a one-year deal worth $8 million. Merrifield will make $7 million this year, and the deal also includes an $8 million club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout.

Merrifield, 35, batted .272 with 11 homers, 67 RBIs and 26 steals for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

CONFIDENT YELICH

Christian Yelich remains confident the Milwaukee Brewers can continue to contend even without departed ace Corbin Burnes and manager Craig Counsell.

After the Brewers won their third NL Central title in six years last season, Counsell left to manage the rival Chiago Cubs. The Brewers followed that up by trading Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles this month in a deal that brought them infielder Joey Ortiz and left-handed pitcher DL Hall.

Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, is one of the veterans on a team relying heavily on younger players.

“I think that we have a chance to really surprise some people with the talent in this room,” Yelich told reporters. “We usually always find a way to be competitive, be there at the end and give ourselves a chance.”

METS SIGN VOIT

The New York Mets signed first baseman Luke Voit to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to major league camp for spring training.

Voit, 33, batted .221 with a .284 on-base percentage, no homers and four RBIs in 22 games with the Brewers last season after hitting a combined 22 homers with the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals in 2022.

He owns an .807 career OPS and hit an AL-leading 22 homers for the New York Yankees during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

CUBS’ RICKETTS DISCUSSES BELLINGER

Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts discussed the status of contract talks with outfielder Cody Bellinger, who remains a free agent.

“There has been some discussions, but it just hasn’t become a negotiation yet,” Ricketts told reporters. “Until they’re ready to really negotiate, there’s not much we can do.”

Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a bounce-back season for the Cubs last year. Bellinger hit .307 with a .356 on-base percentage, 26 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 steals in 130 games.

He then declined his end of a $25 million mutual option for the 2024 season, making him a free agent.