The Los Angeles Angels are in talks to buy out the final year of Anthony Rendon’s contract with the team. Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with Los Angeles before the 2020 season. The star third baseman is owed $38 million for 2026. He is expected to retire.
Anthony Rendon’s Career
Rendon was drafted in the first round of the 2011 amateur draft by the Washington Nationals. During his seven years in Washington, he was a two-time Silver Slugger winner, and he was selected to play in one MLB All-Star Game. He finished in the top ten of the National League MVP voting three times. In his final year as a National (2019), he slashed .319/412/.598. He led the NL in doubles (44) and RBI (126) and added 34 home runs, 80 walks, and 117 runs scored.
After that magical 2019 season, in which Washington won their first World Series, the Nationals were forced to choose between two of their biggest stars. They ended up re-signing ace Stephen Strasburg over Rendon. Two days later, the slugger signed that big seven-year deal with Los Angeles. The 2020 season ended up shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Rendon slashed .286/.418/.497 with nine homers and 31 RBI in 52 games. He finished tenth in the AL MVP voting.
Sadly, that would be Rendon’s last healthy season. Over the next five seasons, he would play in only 205 of the Angels’ 810 games, batting just .231 with a combined 13 homers and 100 RBI. He had multiple hip surgeries, a wrist injury, a fractured tibia, a hamstring tear, and an oblique injury during those five seasons.
Los Angeles’ Big Decision