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The Los Angeles Angels are expected to pay Mike Trout more than $35 million this year, but that, combined with his injury history, has proven to be a major obstacle in the World Baseball Classic.
The three-time MVP, nicknamed “Captain America” for his stellar performance at the event three years ago, told reporters on Monday that he was unable to secure his contract for the tournament.
Trout said he wanted to play again, but “insurance was the biggest obstacle I was trying to overcome.”
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Mike Trout of the United States leads his teammates while carrying the American flag before the game against Japan at LoanDepot Park on March 21, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images)
“It’s disappointing, I wanted to get back with all the guys,” Trout said.
According to Yahoo Sports, a player does not necessarily lose his contract if he is injured during the event. Rather, it would be the team that is expected to receive insurance coverage through National Financial Partners, which the WBC organization uses to underwrite insurance policies on the contracts of all 40 players participating in the event.
Trout has a base salary of $35.45 million for 2026 and earns an additional $1.67 million from the $20 million signing bonus he agreed to as part of his $426.5 million contract.
For example, the New York Mets received a full refund of Edwin Diaz’s $18.64 million 2023 salary after he tore his patella tendon celebrating a victory.
Trout had perhaps the best moment in tournament history, when he and former Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani of Team Japan faced off with two outs in the top of the ninth of a 3-2 championship game. Ohtani struck out Trout during a long at-bat to give Japan the title.
However, Trout has had great difficulty staying on the field in recent years.
Manager Phil Nevin talks with Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels during his at-bat during the eighth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 3, 2023, in San Diego, California. Trout then left the game. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Since 2021, Trout has played in just 130 games, a number he reached last season for the first time since 2019 (the 2020 season was just 60 games). Injuries moved him to right field last year, but this season he aims to move back to center.
Trout has not played in more than 140 games since 2016. He has played in 36, 82 and 29 games in 2021, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Finally able to stay healthy, Trout didn’t look like himself, hitting .232 with a .797 OPS — the lowest mark of his career since his brief call-up in 2011, when he didn’t even qualify as a rookie.
Mike Trout of Team USA reacts after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of Game 6 in Pool C between Team Canada and Team USA at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photos Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB via Getty Images)
Trout is signed through the 2030 season after signing a 12-year pact before the 2019 season. At the time, it was the richest contract in sports history, but has since been surpassed by Ohtani, Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
