Derek Jeter Explains Why Mike Trout Should Finish His Career with Angels
Mike Trout may be playing in his first All-Star Game in three years, but that will be his only big appearance on the national stage this season.
The Los Angeles Angels are once again in the midst of a brutal season, currently in last-place in the AL West at 38-59.
Since being called up by the Angels in 2011, the future Hall of Famer and the Angels have been in the postseason once, in 2014, when they were swept in four games in the ALDS by the eventual American League champion Kansas City Royals. The Angels hold the longest playoff drought in all of baseball.
It is just so hard to fathom that one of the game's most exciting players, Trout, has only appeared in one playoff series in his career. This streak is going to continue with Los Angeles going nowhere yet again this year.
Trout is a 12-time All-Star (2012-2019, 2021-2023, 2026), a three-time AL MVP (2014, 2016, 2019) and a nine-time Silver Slugger award winner (2012-2016, 2018, 2020, 2022). He has also slugged 422 career home runs with 1,057 RBI in 1,726 career games.
Leading off for the American League:
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2026
12-time All-Star Mike Trout pic.twitter.com/FJRCoM82Pa
While Trout's name has surfaced in past trade talks that still remain unlikely, New York Yankees legendary shortstop and current FOX sports analyst Derek Jeter hopes the 34-year-old will remain in Anaheim for the rest of his playing career.
During an appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Jeter expressed hope that Trout will remain an Angel for the remainder of his career.
"I think you have players staying with one team; it's few and far between, it doesn't happen too often and it's special," Jeter said. "From a baseball standpoint, I would love for Mike Trout to stay in one place, but I understand the game is different now...I hope he stays there."
"From a baseball fan standpoint, I hope he stays there."@MLBONFOX superstar @DerekJeter tells @AdamSchein he hopes Mike Trout plays his entire career with the Angels pic.twitter.com/Urciv99Mhu
— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) July 14, 2026
Trout is in the seventh year of a 12-year, $426 million deal he signed with the Angels in March of 2019. Despite his contract containing a full no-trade clause, trade rumors have not stopped, with the hopes of finally getting Trout to play October baseball.
The superstar outfielder, however, has said on multiple occasions that he does not want to get traded. Despite the Angels' decade-long streak of futility, resulting in those trade rumors, Jeter can't envision Trout playing anywhere other than Anaheim.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 3:54 PM.