{"id":577123,"date":"2026-02-17T08:13:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T08:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/577123\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T08:13:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T08:13:44","slug":"mike-trout-is-healthy-motivated-and-ready-to-return-to-center-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/577123\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Trout is healthy, motivated, and ready to return to center field"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEMPE, Ariz. \u2014 Mike Trout isn\u2019t vowing to be the Mike Trout of old, the man who was baseball\u2019s greatest player for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n

The 11-time All-Star and three-time MVP winner insists he is not angry or upset that he no longer is considered one of the game\u2019s elite players, or even listed among the top 100 players by MLB Network.<\/p>\n

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Yet ever so quietly the Los Angeles Angels<\/a> say that they see Trout\u2019s eyes smoldering, that intensity burning inside him, and the confidence to prove he can return to being one of the game\u2019s finest players.<\/p>\n

“I know what I\u2019m capable of doing,” Trout said Monday. “And I feel great.”<\/p>\n

1 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

Since 2000, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols’ 101.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) leads all players, with Alex Rodriguez tied for second ways back at 89.7 WAR. See the rest of the top 25.<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

Since 2000, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols’ 101.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) leads all players, with Alex Rodriguez tied for second ways back at 89.7 WAR. See the rest of the top 25.<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

2. Alex Rodriguez – 89.7<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

3. Adrian Beltre – 89.7<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

4. Mike Trout – 87.5<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

5. Justin Verlander – 82.2<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

6. Clayton Kershaw – 78.1<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

7. Mookie Betts – 75.2<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

8. Max Scherzer – 74.7<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

9. Zack Greinke – 72.4<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

10. Robinson Cano – 68.7<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

11. Miguel Cabrera – 67.2<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

12. Carlos Beltran – 65.1<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

13. Chase Utley – 64.6<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

14. Freddie Freeman – 64.2<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

15. Paul Goldschmidt – 63.8<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

16. Joey Votto – 63.6<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

17. Roy Halladay – 62.4<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

18. Aaron Judge – 62.3<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

19. CC Sabathia – 61.8<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

20. Manny Machado – 61.7<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

21. Ichiro Suzuki – 60<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

22. Mark Buehrle – 60<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

23. Barry Bonds – 59.1<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

24. Evan Longoria – 58.9<\/p>\n

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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

25. Chipper Jones – 58.3<\/p>\n

The Angels can see it in his demeanor, hear it in his voice, and watch it in his interactions.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m excited for him, that\u2019s my boy,” Angels special assistant Torii Hunter, the nine-time Gold Glove winner, tells USA TODAY Sports. “I don\u2019t care what nobody says, I think he\u2019s going to have a good year, man. To hear his enthusiasm this year is way different than any other year.<\/p>\n

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“I think he\u2019s got a lot to prove. He\u2019s going to prove everybody wrong, all of the naysayers.”<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not as if Trout is necessarily going to produce a 1.000 OPS as he did for three consecutive seasons, or hit 40 homers again, and he certainly won\u2019t be stealing 40 bases.<\/p>\n

But to believe he\u2019s finished, to think that he can no longer help a team, then you don\u2019t know Mike Trout, who for nine consecutive seasons finished in the top five in the American League MVP balloting.<\/p>\n

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“He doesn\u2019t need any rankings or lists to promote himself,” Angels GM Perry Minasian says, “but this is a motivated person. I know the last three, four, five years haven\u2019t been what any of us have hoped, but I believe he\u2019s in constant competition with himself to be as he possibly can be.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s not even chasing the old Mike Trout, but it\u2019s being as good as he can possibly be right now. You see how relaxed he is showing up, how confident he is. He can still do things that other people can\u2019t do.”<\/p>\n

\"Angels<\/p>\n

Angels right fielder Mike Trout (27) prepares to hit during spring training in Tempe, Arizona on Feb 16, 2026.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason Trout commands such a presence in the Angels camp, with teammates still in awe, remembering the days when he was the greatest player on the planet, drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, and all of the great center fielders before him.<\/p>\n

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“My kids were wanting me to retire this winter,” 36-year-old Angels reliever Brent Suter said, “but one day I told them, ‘What if Mike Trout wants me to be his teammate?’ They went crazy. My (7-year-old) son started chanting Mike Trout to his friends in school. They\u2019re so excited, as am I. I never played with a bona fide first-ballot Hall of Famer.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s given more to this game than you can imagine. He\u2019s such a huge ambassador for our game. Really, it\u2019s an honor playing with him.”<\/p>\n

Trout, 34, revealed Monday that he intends to return to center field, just like old times, a position he he last played on a regular basis four years ago.<\/p>\n

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He sat down with Minasian and rookie manager Kurt Suzuki when he arrived to camp Sunday, strongly expressed his desire to play center, and they promised they\u2019d give him every opportunity. They don\u2019t have a true center fielder, so why not?<\/p>\n

“I told (Suzuki) I\u2019d play anywhere,” Trout said, “but obviously I\u2019d prefer center. I just feel more comfortable out there. I feel like I\u2019m at my best when I\u2019m in center. \u2026 When I\u2019m out there, it\u2019s just a lot better for me than worrying about the corners.”<\/p>\n

The Angels are fully on board, believing he can play four, perhaps even five days a week in center field with occasional games in right field and at DH.<\/p>\n

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“He\u2019s in a great place,” Minasian said. “He\u2019s still strong, still explosive. We\u2019re not closing the door on anything. Kurt and I are on the same page. He\u2019s got the ability to play all three outfield spots. He\u2019d do whatever we need. If we wanted him to play shortstop, he\u2019d do that too.”<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: New York Yankees<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: New York Yankees<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: Detroit Tigers<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 13: Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 10: Atlanta Braves<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 10: San Francisco Giants<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 10: Chicago White Sox<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 10: Arizona Diamondbacks<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 11: Toronto Blue Jays<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 11: Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 11: Los Angeles Angels<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 11: Athletics<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 11: New York Mets<\/p>\n

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Feb. 11: Chicago CUbs<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 12: Chicago CUbs<\/p>\n

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MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida<\/p>\n

Feb. 12: New York Yankees<\/p>\n

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Feb 12, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) warms-up during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Feb. 12: Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n

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Feb. 12: Pittsburgh Pirates<\/p>\n

Trout is cool playing anywhere, but wants no part of being a full-time DH again as he did a year ago. He opened the 2025 season as a right fielder, but after 22 games, suffered a bone bruise on his surgically-repaired left knee running the bases. He returned a month later and was the Angels\u2019 full-time the remainder of the season. He wound up producing the worst season of his career, hitting .232 with 26 homers, 64 RBI and a career-low .797 OPS.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was no coincidence that Trout\u2019s last great season was when he was a center fielder back in 2022. He hit 40 homers with 80 RBI and a .999 OPS in 119 games that season. He since has been riddled with back, knee and calf injuries, playing in only 241 games out of 486.<\/p>\n

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Trout\u2019s injury history prevented him from being able to participate in the WBC where he was captain of the USA Team in 2023. He likely wasn\u2019t going to be in the starting lineup, but he badly wanted to play until discovering that the WBC insurance policy wouldn\u2019t cover him in case of injury, potentially voiding the remaining $177.25 million remaining in the last five years of his contract.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s disappointing,” Trout said. “I definitely wanted to run it back, you know, with all of the guys.”<\/p>\n

Now, staying with the Angels all spring, it gives him a chance to prove he can be an everyday center fielder again. If he didn\u2019t believe he could pull it off, he wouldn\u2019t be so adamant about the move. But he feels completely healthy, lost about six pounds, and for the first time in five years is coming off a normal winter of workouts.<\/p>\n

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Besides, the Angels actually are a better team with a healthy Trout in center field. The Angels could move Jo Adell back to his natural position in right field and have Josh Lowe in left with Jorge Soler as the primary DH.<\/p>\n

“I felt like when I was in center, it was less (stress) on my body,” Trout said. “To be honest, right field felt like I was running a lot. It\u2019s just a preference thing. Talking to some other outfielders, they feel the same way sometimes, that center is less on your legs. I just feel more confident in center.”<\/p>\n

And, yes, there\u2019s also the matter of pride. It\u2019s tough for anyone to be told to give up their natural position despite being reminded constantly that Father Time is undefeated.<\/p>\n

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“For Mike, I can only imagine that you\u2019re a center field for so long and then they tell you to go to right or DH, that\u2019s pride,” said Hunter, who moved to right field in 2011 to make room for Peter Bourjos and Trout. “You got to swallow it.<\/p>\n

“But he lost a lot of weight. He was so strong at the top, it\u2019s heavy on the legs. Now, he\u2019s going to be able to move more efficiently. So having him play center field might be a good thing.”<\/p>\n

Forget the physical burden of playing center, Hunter says, it\u2019s the mental aspect that could greatly benefit Trout, knowing he can be provide value on the defensive side, too.<\/p>\n

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“When you\u2019re an athlete like Trout, playing center field for so long,” Hunter said, “he used that defense to pump him up offensively. Defense never slumps, but it can actually pump you up. But if you\u2019re not playing defense, and you struggle at the plate, then all you do is go and sit down and watch video.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s when the devil starts playing with your mind. Now, he can go out there and no matter what happens at the plate, he can always go out there and make something happen for the team.”<\/p>\n

And if Trout is back, and stays healthy, well maybe the Angels can start dreaming of being a legitimate contender again.<\/p>\n

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“At the end of the day,” Minasian says, “a healthy Mike Trout obviously changes this club. I think he\u2019s primed for a big year. We\u2019re lucky to have him.”<\/p>\n

Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Trout ready to return to center field, prove doubters wrong<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TEMPE, Ariz. \u2014 Mike Trout isn\u2019t vowing to be the Mike Trout of old, the man who was…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":577124,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2390],"tags":[291,5,1416,21033,2179,3509,1397,1165,446,3223,774,56,3224,3222,603,4,11479,5317,3934],"class_list":{"0":"post-577123","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles-angels","8":"tag-angels","9":"tag-baseball","10":"tag-center-fielder","11":"tag-center-fielders","12":"tag-jo-adell","13":"tag-jorge-soler","14":"tag-josh-lowe","15":"tag-la","16":"tag-la-angels","17":"tag-laangels","18":"tag-los-angeles","19":"tag-los-angeles-angels","20":"tag-losangeles","21":"tag-losangelesangels","22":"tag-mike-trout","23":"tag-mlb","24":"tag-perry-minasian","25":"tag-the-angels","26":"tag-torii-hunter"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116084975328851324","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=577123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/577124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=577123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=577123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=577123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}