Mike Trout Says Angels' Playoff Drought 'Has Definitely Weighed on Me'

Mike Trout is the best player of his generation, but there's a major blight on his otherwise impressive resume—he hasn't been to the postseason since 2014. 

The Los Angeles Angels outfielder told reporters on Monday he's more than ready to end that drought. 

"It's definitely weighed on me. I hear it every year," he said. "The only way to change that is get to the playoffs. I'm tired of hearing, 'Hey, Mike, is adding this guy or that guy gonna get you to playoffs?'"

Trout, 29, has done everything possible to end that playoff drought. He's a three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star who has hit at least 30 homers in six of his MLB seasons, posted 100 or more RBI three times, scored over 100 runs seven times and stolen 20 or more bases five times. 

His career OPS sits at an impressive 1.000, the best among active players, while he's led the American League in WAR four times, per Baseball Reference. He also holds a career batting average of .304. 

Trout is well on his way to eventually being a Hall of Fame selection, though for the time being his only priority is returning to the postseason:

"I'm trying to get to playoffs obviously. We all are. I think if that isn't the mindset, you shouldn't be here every year. That's why I come in with that in my mind. We got one goal—get to the playoffs. It's still the same goal here.

"Obviously, there's a lot of new faces this year. Kind of cleaned house a little bit and looking for a fresh start. I'm getting older, for sure, but I'm still young. I still feel great."

The Angels, built around Trout, Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani, made a number of smaller moves this offseason, adding players like Jose Iglesias, Raisel Iglesias, Alex Claudio, Kurt Suzuki, Jose Quintana and Alex Cobb, among others.

Whether that's enough to get the Angels over the hump remains to be seen. Until that happens, though, Trout is going to be asked about that postseason drought.