Mike Trout Q&A: His workouts, goals and what he's thankful for

If you thought Mike Trout would win the American League MVP, then spend his offseason slacking around, you're dead wrong. Trout, the 23-year-old Los Angeles Angels star, is already back in the gym getting ready for 2015.

Even in the days before Thanksgiving, when many of us have mentally checked out, Trout is up early, putting in work, trying to get faster and stronger for 2015.

It should be noted his 2014 was pretty darn good: He won the AL MVP, the All-Star Game MVP, his Angels had the best record in baseball, they won the AL West and he went to the playoffs for the first time. He also signed a $144.5 million extension with the Angels before the season started.

That's a lot to be thankful for. Even with it all, Trout still speaks like a humble, quiet guy. He lives in his hometown of Millville, N.J., this time of year, eats Thanksgiving dinner at his parents' house and doesn't know where exactly he's going on his vacation in January.

Trout spoke with The Stew from a gym near his home about his great 2014 season, what he'll be eating at Thanksgiving and how he'll feel working out the next day.

Mike Oz: It was a big year for you – MVP, best record in baseball, first postseason experience, All-Star MVP – since Thanksgiving is approaching, what 2014 moment are you most thankful for?

Mike Trout: Obviously, individual things are awesome, but when we won the division that was a pretty special moment in my career. That was my first time being a part of that, celebrating with my teammates and my whole organization. It was pretty special.

MO: You're home in New Jersey, right? What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

MT: I usually go to two dinners. At my parents' house, then my girlfriend's house. They have a dinner too. Nothing too crazy.

MO: Since you're the youngest of three kids, do you think having an MVP will give you extra clout at Thanksgiving this year? Biggest piece of pie? You get to eat the last roll?

MT: It's first come and first serve in my house and in my family. That's why I love 'em. They stay the same. They're always joking with me.

MO: What's your favorite thing to eat at Thanksgiving?

MT: It's gotta be the turkey. Turkey and mashed potatoes.

MO: Since I know you're training for next season already and you said you have two Thanksgiving dinners, how do you balance that out in the gym?

MT: Thanksgiving, it's a day you can cheat a little bit. You don't want to be sitting at dinner and not eating anything. To me, it's not that bad the next day, working out. I think the biggest thing is in the morning, waking up, you can tell when you ate too much the day before. But it's only one day.

MO: I know the sports drink BODYARMOR is part of your routine and it's something you believe in. How does that help you on those types of days?

MT: Yeah, staying hydrated is key to my success. BODYARMOR, with all the electrolytes and vitamins and coconut water, it helps me stay hydrated before and after workouts. And before and after games. You don't want to be cramping.

MO: In general, what's your training schedule like during the offseason? Do you give yourself a break at all?

MT: I played something like 158 games, so I like to take two or three weeks off to let my muscles relax.

MO: From a training standpoint, are you focusing on anything particular this offseason?

MT: There are always things you can improve on. Obviously speed is part of my game. You want to get quicker feet. I'm just working on my agility and trying to get stronger.

MO: When you're trying to improve, are your goals numbers, like "I want to hit five more homers," or is it all feeling, like "I want to feel stronger or faster?"

MT: There are a lot of things you can put into it, but for me it's just wanting to feel faster and stronger. It's just preparing my body for next season.

MO: We saw changes in your game in 2014 — more power, less running — do you anticipate we'll see you doing something different in 2015?

MT: I'm definitely going to try to steal more bags this year. There are things you don't really pay attention to, that just happen over the course of the year. I wasn't trying to hit more home runs, it just happened.

MO: What did you think when you saw how much money Giancarlo Stanton got?

MT: I was really happy for him. He deserves every penny of it. He's been waiting a couple years for that. It can't happen to a better guy.

MO: Since you signed your new deal this year, do you appreciate not having to worry about your contract situation?

MT: Definitely. It's just go out there and play. It takes stress off your back. For him as well. You still got to come out there and perform. But stuff off the field bothers you on the field sometimes.

MO: This time of year in particular, though, people might be talking about whether you're getting paid enough money by the Angels. Does not having to hear that stuff help you focus on your offseason work?

MT: Yeah, it's not even in the mind. The only thing on my mind is trying to get to the World Series and trying to prepare my body for spring training.

MO: How much do you pay attention to the hot-stove rumors?

MT: Not too much. I follow some people who talk about the Angels a little bit. I saw that Pablo signed with the Red Sox. That's pretty cool. I'm happy for him.

MO: Do you find yourself thinking, "Oh, I hope we get this guy or that guy”?

MT: You're hoping they try to improve the team, but whatever happens you can only do what's in your ability — that's preparing yourself for spring training and the World Series.

MO: What do you think the Angels need to take the next step in 2015?

MT: We had the best record in baseball, but we didn't do what we wanted to do in the playoffs, obviously. After that loss to the Royals, you just know that you don't want to feel that feeling again. We'll do whatever we have to do, whatever we have to work on.

MO: Considering everything you accomplished this year, what's your motivation now? What's pushing you to be in the gym the week of Thanksgiving trying to get better?

MT: It's definitely a World Series. Just trying to get that ring.

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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz