The Philadelphia Phillies are yet again linked to Mike Trout as Major League Baseball prepares for the offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies have a pretty clear “to-do list” this winter and at the very top of the list is addressing the outfield.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently floated an idea of trading for Mike Trout. The Millville, NJ native and lifelong Philly sports fan could finally come home in what would be the second-biggest offseason in Major League Baseball outside of the Juan Soto sweepstakes.

The thought here is that the Los Angeles Angels might finally be done trying to build around Mike Trout and will now be willing to eat a massive chunk of his remaining contract.

Trout signed a 12-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels worth $426.5 million in March 2019. The Phillies already have a projected $275 million payroll in 2025, so getting Trout’s salary off the books in the first year would be crucial.

The idea would be to start picking up his tab in 2026, once JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber’s deals are done.

If the Angels are willing to do that, Trout could be a legitimate target—especially considering the Phillies had to pinch-hit for their outfielders six times in a four-game postseason meltdown.

Phillies fans never seem to be open to the idea that Trout, a hometown hero and 11-time All-Star, would return to the team he grew up loving. Why? I have no idea. Injuries aside, Mike Trout was well on his way to being the greatest baseball player on planet earth until Shohei Ohtani showed up and when healthy, can still be an impact player.

Obviously, the main concern comes with the baggage Trout brings in terms of financial risk and injury history. That’s a reasonable argument since he has been sidelined for large chunks of the regular season over the past few years but even still, his numbers are hard to ignore.

Mike Trout Career Numbers:

Breaking down the Phillies’ free agents and arbitration-eligible players this offseason >>

The thought of adding Mike Trout is undeniably intriguing

When he’s healthy, he’s an elite talent that would give the Phillies a massive boost in the outfield. But that’s the million-dollar question—or, more accurately, the $300 million question.

Can he stay on the field? Recent history says no.

And then there’s the financial side of it. Trout’s contract is one of the biggest in MLB history, and it’s not getting any lighter as he gets older.

The Angels would need to swallow a lot of cash to make this work, and even then, it’s debatable whether Trout would be the missing piece for a title run in Philly.

It’s easy to dream about a lineup that adds Trout to the right side of the plate, but dreams don’t always win championships—healthy rosters do.

While it’s fun to picture Trout in red pinstripes, the Phillies probably won’t pull the trigger even though I think they should. The name is big, but recently, the risks are even bigger.

Maybe it’s finally time for Mike Trout to come home. Or maybe it’s time for the Phillies to look for someone who’s more than just a good story? I’m looking at you, Juan Soto.

Bob Nightengale yet again lists the Phillies as the team to watch in the Juan Soto Free Agency Sweepstakes >>

Join The Chase