Mike Trout’s loyalty to Angels is becoming impossible to celebrate

Mike Trout celebrated his 35th birthday in the most predictable way possible. He hit a home run and added another line to a Hall of Fame résumé that ran out of available space years ago.

Trout homered in the first inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday. It was the 423rd home run of his career and his sixth on his birthday, tying the MLB record.

It should have been another uncomplicated celebration of one of the greatest players of his generation. Nothing involving Trout and the Angels is that simple anymore.

Los Angeles entered the week with the worst record in baseball. The organization traded five players at the deadline, including pitcher José Soriano and outfielder Jo Adell, while committing itself to another rebuild.

Mike Trout continues defending the Angels

Trout supported the Angels’ deadline decisions despite watching several teammates leave. He told reporters that he understood the direction of the organization and remained confident about its future.

The Angels have certainly given him plenty of practice discussing the future.

Trout has spent all 16 of his major league seasons with the franchise. During that time, Los Angeles has reached the postseason once and failed to win a game. Its last winning season came in 2015.

His loyalty was once admirable. Now, it is becoming difficult to celebrate.

There is nothing wrong with Trout wanting to remain with one organization. Players are criticized when they chase championships and then mocked when they stay. Apparently, the only acceptable career choice is whichever one allows fans to complain loudest.

Trout also signed a 12-year, $426.5 million extension in 2019. He made his decision and has never publicly attempted to escape it. That should be respected.

It should not prevent the Angels from having an honest conversation with him.

The Angels owe Mike Trout more than another rebuild

Trout is under contract through 2030, which makes any trade complicated. He has dealt with numerous injuries, carries an enormous salary and owns full no-trade protection.

He is also no longer producing like the player who won three American League MVP awards. Through Friday, Trout was batting .240 with 19 home runs. Those are respectable numbers, but the days of casually expecting a .300 average, 40 homers and another MVP trophy are gone.

That does not mean Trout has nothing left to offer a contender.

He returned to the All-Star Game this season and has remained productive when healthy. A team would need the Angels to absorb a substantial portion of his remaining contract, and Trout would have to approve the destination. Neither obstacle is impossible to overcome.

Keeping Trout allows the franchise to retain its most recognizable player during another miserable season. His milestones provide reasons to purchase tickets, watch games and pretend there is something larger happening than a last-place team stumbling toward October.

That arrangement benefits the Angels considerably more than it benefits Trout.

He does not need to demand a trade. He does not need to criticize the organization that drafted him or turn his final years into a public standoff. That has never been his personality.

Perhaps Trout would reject every possibility and choose to finish his career in Anaheim. If so, the organization could move forward knowing it gave him the option. Anything less looks like the Angels are hiding behind his loyalty because it is convenient.

Trout’s birthday home run was a reminder that greatness remains in there. Unfortunately, it was also a reminder that another year has disappeared.

There are only so many left to waste.