Angels Terminate Rendon's Massive Contract After Injury-Plagued Tenure
The Los Angeles Angels have made a decisive move regarding veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon, buying out the final year of his massive seven-year contract worth $245 million. This development came to light on Tuesday through multiple reports, signaling a significant shift in the team's long-term strategy.
Rendon was scheduled to earn $38 million in 2026, but his complete absence from the 2025 season following hip surgery prompted the Angels' front office to reconsider their investment. The buyout has sparked fresh discussions across the baseball community about whether the 33-year-old might be approaching retirement.
From World Series Glory to Persistent Injuries
Anthony Rendon's career trajectory presents a dramatic contrast between his peak performance and recent struggles. His most remarkable achievement came in 2019 when he played an instrumental role in leading the Washington Nationals to a World Series victory. During that stellar season, he finished third in MVP voting while maintaining an impressive .299 batting average throughout his tenure with the Nationals from 2016 to 2019.
However, his fortunes changed dramatically after signing with the Angels in 2020. Persistent injuries have consistently hampered his performance, limiting him to just 205 games across five seasons with the California team. His last home run for the Angels dates back to the 2023 campaign, after which injuries kept him off the field entirely.
Teammate Comes to Defense of "Misunderstood" Player
Former Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar offered a different perspective on Rendon during an interview with Foul Territory TV shortly after the buyout news surfaced. "Anthony Rendon is one of the most misunderstood players, maybe of all time," Pillar stated emphatically.
Pillar elaborated that Rendon's honesty about viewing baseball as a job rather than his entire life has often been misinterpreted by fans and media. "People forget that baseball, to a lot of us, is a job. The joy changes when you reach the major leagues. I felt it towards the end of my career," Pillar explained, noting that many players share similar sentiments but avoid expressing them publicly.
This defense comes amid renewed attention to Rendon's past interviews, including one on MLB.com where he openly stated that he doesn't consider baseball the most important aspect of his life.
Broader Implications for Angels' Future
ESPN reporter Aiden Gonzales, who first broke the buyout story, highlighted how the massive contracts for both Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout have significantly hampered the Angels' long-term objectives. Trout, who signed a twelve-year contract worth $426.5 million in 2019, has also battled multiple injuries in recent seasons.
Gonzales pointed out that having both star players simultaneously unavailable created substantial challenges for the organization. The situation became particularly difficult as Shohei Ohtani shouldered much of the team's performance burden before his departure. This financial burden has limited the Angels' flexibility in pursuing new talent and building a competitive roster.
The buyout decision represents more than just a financial calculation—it marks the potential end of an era for both Rendon and the Angels organization. As baseball analysts and fans speculate about Rendon's next move, his legacy remains divided between his early career brilliance and the unfortunate injury patterns that defined his later years.
