By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
For some bizarre reason, inserted into this offseason's frenzy of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper rumors, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout's name is getting just as much — if not more — attention among Philadelphia Phillies fans.
It all started on Tuesday, when Jon Heyman tweeted that the Phillies — "regardless who they sign this winter" — will make a "big play" for the seven-time All-Star and two-time Most Valuable Player if he becomes available in free agency after the 2020 season. Thursday morning, SI.com's Tom Verducci wrote that the Phillies began this offseason with Trout in mind, according to his source "with direct knowledge of their shopping plans."
Verducci said that "in one dream scenario," the Phillies are envisioning fielding "an all-MVP outfield" in three seasons with Trout, Harper and Andrew McCutchen.
Thursday evening on SportsRadio 94 WIP with Joe Giglio and Jack Fritz, NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury refuted the notion of the Phillies' spending plans this offseason are "necessarily specific on Mike Trout."
"I just think they have to be fiscally responsible with a young roster that's going to require contract extensions," Salisbury said. "There's future free agent classes that they want to be involved in, and Mike Trout could be one of those guys, but I don't think they're strategy this winter has a whole lot to do with if Mike Trout's going to be available in two years."
Planning ahead two seasons, instead of now with Harper and Machado, carries a ton of risk; Trout is signed for just over $34 million in each of the next two seasons with the Los Angels Angels, who could still extend him.
"If I'm their owner, Arte Moreno, I don't want to be known as the guy that got rid of Mike Trout," Salisbury said. "But, Mike Trout holds some of the cards there, too. He can say 'no' to a contract extension."
"At that point, I think the Angels have to look to trade him. Maybe even as soon as this July."
A Phillies pursuit of Trout during "hot stove" season, mid-July, with them in a potential race for their first postseason berth since the days of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, would surely generate never-before-seen interest.
Salisbury said if Trout becomes available, whether it be via trade or free agency, he "does not care what the Phillies' budget is, what the plan is, what the blueprint is."
"For that type of an extraordinary opportunity, you rip up the plan, you rip up the budget, you rip up the blueprint and you make it happen," Salisbury said. "I think they would. I think they can make that decision on the fly."
Salisbury reiterated that he does not think the Phillies are "budgeting" for Trout at this juncture, but rather they're "trying to get one of the big fish right now, and run their organization the right way so they can extend their core guys, and be active in future free agent markets, regardless who comes up."
"But, if Trout comes up, such a unique circumstance … obviously local guy … great player … a chance to get prime years, ride him and have him go into the Hall of Fame with your hat on," Salisbury said, "I just think you change all your plans and you go make that happen."
"Guess what? The team in the Bronx, and the team in Queens will have the same outlook, you watch."
