Anthony Rendon's Time with the Angels Comes to an End

The Los Angeles Angels have officially concluded their partnership with third baseman Anthony Rendon after buying him out of the final year of his contract. According to a report from The Athletic, Rendon will receive deferred payments over the next three to five years, marking the end of a contentious and underwhelming tenure in Southern California.

Rendon’s Promising Start Turned Sour

Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Angels, a deal that has become one of the most criticized investments in MLB's modern history. His performance peaked in 2019 when he led the league with 126 RBIs and boasted an impressive .319/.412/.598 batting line while helping the Washington Nationals win the World Series. From 2014 to 2019, he maintained a stellar 28.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), ranking 10th among position players, according to FanGraphs.

However, after a promising start in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season where he hit .497 with a 150 OPS+, injuries plagued his career, limiting him to just 205 games over the next five seasons. His batting average dropped to .231 since 2021, alongside a subpar .336 slugging percentage.

Controversial Comments and Fans' Reactions

Rendon's candid comments regarding his view of baseball further alienated some fans. In a 2024 interview, he expressed a desire to shorten the regular season if he ever became the commissioner of baseball, stating that baseball has “never been a top priority” for him. His remark about prioritizing his faith and family over his baseball career raised eyebrows, especially given his hefty annual salary of over $38 million amidst frequent injuries.

What’s Next for Rendon and the Angels?

The decision to buy out Rendon accelerates a breakup that seemed inevitable; the Angels had no intention of re-signing him when his contract expired next winter. With Rendon’s contract now off the books, Los Angeles has more flexibility in their payroll as they move forward. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old former All-Star may now face the prospect of early retirement after undergoing hip surgery that kept him off the field for the entirety of 2025.