Ali Akbar Rosady
The Los Angeles Angels and veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon are in advanced discussions to negotiate a buyout for the final year of his seven-year, $245 million contract. This development, confirmed by sources close to the situation on Wednesday, signals the likely conclusion of a high-profile signing that ultimately failed to yield the anticipated returns for the Angels organization. Rendon, 35, who spent the entirety of the 2025 Major League Baseball season recovering from hip surgery, is reportedly expected to announce his retirement from professional baseball upon the finalization of the buyout.
Rendon is contractually owed $38 million for the 2026 season. While the specifics of a potential buyout agreement have not yet been finalized and such negotiations can be complex, the prevailing expectation is that Rendon will agree to defer at least a portion of this remaining compensation. Such an arrangement would provide the Angels with increased financial flexibility, a critical asset as the franchise looks to address pressing roster needs and strategic acquisitions during the upcoming offseason. This move would represent a significant shift in the Angels’ payroll, freeing up capital previously allocated to a player whose on-field contributions have been minimal for several seasons.
The initial signing of Anthony Rendon in December 2019 was heralded as a cornerstone move for the Angels. Following his standout performance for the Washington Nationals, culminating in their historic 2019 World Series championship, Rendon was awarded a contract that made him the highest-paid third baseman in Major League Baseball history at the time. The Angels envisioned him as a vital offensive and defensive anchor, complementing perennial All-Stars Mike Trout and, eventually, Shohei Ohtani. However, the substantial investment did not translate into sustained on-field presence or performance. Should the Angels and Rendon’s agent, Scott Boras, successfully finalize the buyout, Rendon will have participated in approximately only one-quarter of the Angels’ regular season games over the life of his substantial contract, accumulating a FanGraphs wins above replacement (fWAR) total of just 3.7 during his tenure in Anaheim.
Rendon’s professional trajectory began in 2011 when he was selected as a first-round pick out of Rice University. He swiftly established himself as one of the game’s premier all-around players during his time with the Washington Nationals. Renowned for his exceptional hitting acumen and gifted defensive capabilities, Rendon consistently ranked among the league’s elite. From 2016 to 2019, a period that defined his peak, only nine position players across MLB posted a higher fWAR. During this four-year stretch, Rendon compiled an impressive slash line of .299/.384/.528. His final season with the Nationals in 2019 was particularly stellar, seeing him finish third in the National League MVP voting. That year, he recorded a career-high 1.010 on-base plus slugging (OPS), hit 34 home runs, and led all of Major League Baseball with 126 runs batted in, culminating in his pivotal role in the Nationals’ first-ever World Series title.
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During his celebrated run with the Nationals, Rendon’s public persona often drew attention. He openly expressed a limited interest in baseball, frequently stating that it was not his foremost priority but merely a job, and that he held little regard for accolades or public attention. This candidness was initially perceived by many as an endearing aspect of his personality, a refreshing counterpoint to the typical athlete narrative. However, as his performance declined and his availability diminished during his tenure with the Angels, this once-charming trait began to be viewed by some observers as a potential reflection or even a referendum on his perceived lack of productivity and dedication.
The 2020 MLB season, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, proved to be the last instance where Rendon resembled the player the Angels had invested so heavily in. That year, he played 52 of 60 games, slashing .286/.418/.497 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs, showing glimpses of his Nationals form. However, this period of relative health and consistent performance would not last. Over the subsequent four seasons (2021-2024), Rendon’s offensive production plummeted, with his slash line dropping to .231/.329/.336. More significantly, his presence on the field became increasingly rare, as he appeared in only 205 of a potential 648 regular season games, missing approximately 68% of the team’s contests.
Rendon’s time with the Angels was marred by an extensive and debilitating injury history, impacting nearly every major joint and muscle group. His stints on the injured list included ailments to his left groin, left knee, left hamstring, left shin, left oblique, lower back, both wrists, and both hips. These recurring physical setbacks prevented him from establishing any consistent rhythm or contributing meaningfully to the team’s efforts. He never played in more than 58 games in any single full season during his Angels contract. His last home run for the Angels was recorded on July 1, 2023. The final and most significant blow came on February 12, 2025, at the outset of spring training, when the Angels announced that Rendon would require hip surgery, effectively sidelining him for the entire 2025 season. He spent the entirety of that year away from the team, undergoing rehabilitation primarily near his residence in Houston.
The financial burden and prolonged unavailability of Anthony Rendon’s "albatross contract" significantly hampered the Angels’ ability to construct a competitive roster. This situation was further exacerbated by a concurrent string of injuries suffered by fellow superstar Mike Trout, the team’s other highest-paid player. The combined absence of these two cornerstone players, coupled with a persistent lack of organizational depth across the roster, largely undermined the team’s performance, even as Shohei Ohtani emerged as an unprecedented two-way phenomenon during the same period.
The Angels organization has endured a protracted period of underperformance, with Rendon’s tenure coinciding with some of the franchise’s most challenging years. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2014 and has not secured a playoff victory since 2009. The 2025 season marked their tenth consecutive year with a sub-.500 record, extending a franchise-worst streak. The instability at the managerial position also highlights these struggles, with Kurt Suzuki, a former teammate of Rendon on the 2019 Nationals, recently being named the Angels’ manager – making him the sixth manager in just eight years for the club.
The impending resolution of Anthony Rendon’s contract, whether through a finalized buyout and subsequent retirement, represents a pivotal moment for the Los Angeles Angels. It signals the end of a chapter defined by unmet expectations and significant financial strain. Moving forward, the Angels will finally possess the opportunity to reallocate substantial resources and strategically address their needs, particularly at third base, as they endeavor to rebuild and return to competitiveness in the post-Shohei Ohtani era. This financial freedom is critical for a franchise seeking to break a decade-long cycle of losing and rebuild a contender.
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