“It could have been a different story if we’d have a full season,” Trout said.

Trout cited his inconsistency at the plate as one of the reasons the season became a slog for him. He was batting .281 with 17 home runs going into Saturday night’s game against the Dodgers. He wasn’t in the lineup.

“I’d go through a good stretch and then I’d lose it a little bit,” he said. “When you have a full season, you minimize that little skid or slump. In a 60-game season, it’s obviously more important. Sixty games doesn’t seem a lot, but it was tough for me.”

Maddon and Trout bonded in their first season together, with the manager praising Trout’s positivity and love of the game. Trout likes the freedom Maddon gives his players.

“He brings a lot of excitement and joy in the clubhouse,” Trout said.

In the front office, Trout has a close relationship with general manager Billy Eppler, whose contract is expiring.

“Billy was a big reason why I signed back here. He’s put a lot of good teams together. It just didn’t work out the last few years,” Trout said. “I’ve had a couple GMs come in here. I’ve never had the GM relationship I’ve had with him with anybody else.”

Trout may or may not be watching postseason baseball. If there’s nothing else on he’s interested in, he’ll tune in.