Jun 19, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout (27) watches his single against the New York Yankees as he runs up the first base line during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Former Chiefs Super Bowl Champion Questions Mike Trout's Endless Loyalty to Angels

Originally posted on Los Angeles Angels on SI
By Nelson Espinal | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 6:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout remains loyal and committed to seeing out his playing days with the only franchise he has known.

Trout might go down as one of the best baseball players ever, but one of the greatest to never achieve postseason success.

His lack of success in October draws the ire of baseball fans, and most recently, it was a former Super Bowl champion who chimed in.

Gehrig Dieter, a wide receiver who played on the Kansas City Chiefs during the team's 2020 Super Bowl win, commented on X (formerly Twitter): "Never understood why Trout doesn’t ask for a trade."

Never understood why Trout doesn’t ask for a trade https://t.co/oLZ1lJOm5z
— Gehrig Dieter (@GehrigDieter) June 23, 2025

His comment was under a graphic that compared the stats of Trout and Houston Astros legend Jose Altuve. It featured their playoff games played.

Altuve has 105 playoff games compared to only three for Trout.

Dieter's argument is one made by many all the time who question how Trout has put up with the lack of winning in Anaheim.

Trout is someone known for idolizing Derek Jeter, a player synonymous with only one franchise: The New York Yankees.

In 2024, Trout reaffirmed his loyalty to the Angels, remaining steadfast that he doesn't want to win anywhere else.

“When I signed that contract, I’m loyal,” Trout told reporters.

“The overall picture of winning a championship or getting to the playoffs here is bigger satisfaction than bailing out and just taking the easy way out. … Maybe down the road, if some things change. But that’s been my mindset ever since the trade speculation came up.”

Mike Trout has three MVP awards to his name, along with nine silver slugger awards and 11 All-Star appearances.

His deal runs through the 2030 season, and barring a drastic change of heart, he is likely to retire as the greatest Angel ever.

Whether or not that will come with more postseason experience remains to be seen.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Angels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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