The Los Angeles Angels and third baseman Anthony Rendon are currently negotiating a buyout for the last year of his contract, which is valued at $38 million, according to ESPN. Rendon, who missed the entire 2025 season due to hip surgery in February, is likely to retire if the deal is finalized.
Rendon, 35, signed a seven-year, $245 million contract after his 2019 World Series win with the Washington Nationals, where he was considered one of the premier players at his position. During the four seasons before joining the Angels, Rendon averaged 26 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a .912 OPS, with his performance translating to approximately 22.9 wins above replacement as per Baseball Reference.
However, Rendon’s time with the Angels has been marred by injuries, including surgeries on both hips, limiting him to just 3.9 WAR over 257 games, roughly 43 games per season, despite playing 52 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Angels GM Perry Minassian disclosed in October that Rendon has yet to resume baseball activities, casting doubt on his return.
If a buyout is agreed upon, Rendon is expected to accept deferred payments, providing the Angels with more financial flexibility this offseason. With Rendon sidelined, the Angels relied on Yoan Moncada and Luis Rengifo at third base last season, both now free agents.
Fan Take: This potential buyout signals the end of a challenging chapter for both Rendon and the Angels, underlining the risks teams take with big contracts on players with injury histories. For fans, it’s a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball careers and the ongoing need for teams to balance talent acquisition with durability.
