Angels Players Traded While Golfing at Mike Trout’s Private Course

On the MLB trade-deadline day, about a dozen Los Angeles Angels gathered at Trout National — The Reserve, a private, invitation-only course near Trout’s hometown of Millville, N.J. While the group was playing, the team’s front office completed five separate deals. Reliever Brent Suter was sent to the Atlanta Braves, outfielder Jo Adell to the Cleveland Guardians, reliever Ryan Zeferjahn to the Chicago Cubs, reliever Kirby Yates to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and right-hander José Soriano was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays after the round. A sixth player, left-hander Reid Detmers, was rumored to have been dealt to the Chicago Cubs, but the report proved false and he finished the round as an Angel. The trades unfolded hole by hole, with players receiving calls while still on the course.

New York Times

Interim general manager John Mozeliak said he was “preoccupied with trade negotiations” and did not realize many teammates were on the golf outing. He conducted the calls with assistant GM David Haynes, informing each player of his destination and ending the Suter call with “Hit ‘em straight.”

New York Times

Mike Trout, who organized the event, noted that rumors of moves had been circulating, but the scale of the deadline activity was unexpected. He described the day as “different” and praised the camaraderie that emerged as teammates hugged and celebrated each other’s new opportunities.

New York Times

• “It seemed like every four or five holes someone was getting the call,” — Mike Trout

New York Times

• “It was pretty wild watching everybody go,” — Kirby Yates

New York Times

• “I just instantly started hugging everybody,” — Brent Suter

New York Times

• “You were hearing some cheers and some hugs going on throughout the golf course as guys were getting traded,” — Jo Adell

New York Times

• “I think it was good he was golfing,” — Mike Trout

New York Times

• “I guess if you’re going to get news like that,” — John Mozeliak, interim general manager

New York Times

The unusual timing gave the traded players a chance to finish part of their round before departing, with Suter and Adell both completing the course and sharing hugs on the ninth hole. Yates, after his call, threw a scoreless inning for the Pirates the following night.

New York Times