The Los Angeles Angels and veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon have reached an agreement to buy out the final year of his contract, according to The Athletic. Rendon was originally set to earn $38,571,429 in 2026, his age-36 season, but this payout will now be postponed for a period ranging between three to five years, with the specifics of the new payment arrangement undisclosed. This move could free up the Angels to be more competitive in the free agent market or enable them to absorb salary commitments via trades.
Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Angels before the 2020 season after a successful stint with the Washington Nationals. While he performed well during the shortened 2020 season, his productivity declined significantly due to injuries and other factors. Over six years with the Angels, Rendon’s wins above replacement (WAR) totaled just 3.9, despite costing over $200 million, in stark contrast to his 34.2 WAR during parts of seven seasons in Washington. Rendon underwent a second hip surgery in spring 2025 and is expected to miss that entire season and likely 2026 as well. Since 2021, he has averaged only 41 games played per year.
From the Angels’ standpoint, Rendon’s contract is seen as one of the worst in MLB history. ESPN reported that Rendon intends to retire after the contract is fulfilled. Currently, the Angels have Christian Moore at third base but may look to improve the position in the future. Free agent options include Eugenio Suarez and Alex Bregman, with Bregman more likely to join a team in a strong position by 2026. Additionally, the Cardinals are exploring trade options for Nolan Arenado, a Newport Beach native.
The Angels are projected to finish 72-90 in the 2025 season and have been mired in a decade-long losing streak overall.
Fan Take: This development highlights the risks teams take when signing big-name players to long-term contracts, especially with injury concerns. For baseball fans, it serves as a reminder that building a competitive team requires balancing marquee signings with sustainable roster management, which will continue to shape the sport’s future.
