Anthony Rendon Accepts New Contract Terms That May Mark the End of His Time with the Angels
Anthony Rendon Restructures Contract with Angels as Injury Plagues Tenure
Anthony Rendon has reached an agreement to restructure the final year of his seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke with the Associated Press on Tuesday night.
The source, who requested anonymity, noted that the Angels have not yet made an official announcement regarding the developments surrounding Rendon. The third baseman, who missed the entirety of last season due to hip surgery, now faces modifications to his remaining $38 million contract, likely distributing the payments over an extended period.
Currently, Rendon remains on the Angels’ roster while he continues his rehabilitation at home in Houston. However, his troubled tenure with the team may soon come to an end.
Since joining the Angels, Rendon’s performance has significantly faltered. The former Washington Nationals standout has been sidelined for much of the past five seasons, appearing in just 257 games and compiling a batting average of .242 with 22 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .717 OPS. Should he remain absent in 2026, he will have participated in only about a quarter of the team’s total games during his tenure.
Rendon previously enjoyed a successful run, leading the majors in RBIs and earning an All-Star selection while helping the Nationals secure a World Series title in 2019. His initial season with the Angels in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign showed promise; however, he has struggled to recapture that form in the following years, contributing to a stretch in which the Angels have failed to make the playoffs or achieve a winning record.
Injuries have hampered Rendon’s performance, affecting various parts of his body, including his groin, knee, hamstring, and hips, among others. His relationship with Angels fans has also soured due to public comments suggesting a lack of enthusiasm for baseball. Although he attempted to clarify his feelings, stating his connection to the sport is primarily a business matter, his earlier critiques and admissions of not watching games have left a negative impression.
As the Angels navigate these challenges, they have relied on players like Luis Rengifo and Yoán Moncada at third base, both of whom are currently free agents. Rendon’s hefty contract stands as a symbol of high-profile acquisitions that have failed to deliver results under owner Arte Moreno, joining a list that includes Gary Matthews Jr., Josh Hamilton, and Zack Cozart, along with unsuccessful trades for Vernon Wells and Justin Upton.
