Anthony Rendon’s Time with Angels Ends
Anthony Rendon’s challenging time in Anaheim has come to a close. The injury-prone third baseman has reached an agreement with the Angels to restructure his contract, effectively concluding his six-year stint with the team.
Reports indicate that his $38 million salary for 2026 will now be deferred over a period of three to five years, although the specific timeline hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Not long ago, there were discussions about possible scenarios that included Rendon’s retirement. However, it appears he will remain technically under contract and part of the Angels’ roster.
Since signing a seven-year, $245 million contract after the 2019 season, Rendon’s performance has been disappointing. He started his career with the Nationals before joining the Angels, coming off a high point with his first All-Star selection and a World Series victory.
In the shortened 2020 season, he had a decent showing, hitting .286 with nine home runs across 52 games. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse after that. From 2021 to 2024, he was often sidelined, appearing in no more than 58 games in any given season due to a variety of injuries affecting his groin, wrist, hamstring, leg, and oblique muscles.
He missed the entire 2025 season following hip surgery, which added to his struggles on the field.
Rendon’s time with the Angels has also been marred by controversies—such as interactions with fans, claiming a language barrier to avoid media inquiries, and announcing injuries without the team’s knowledge.
Adding to the scrutiny was a statement he made last spring, admitting that baseball “was never my top priority.” This comment sparked criticism throughout the league, including from former teammate Jonathan Papelbon, who suggested that Rendon wasn’t fully committed.
Papelbon remarked on how Rendon often seemed burdened by the game, despite his impressive natural talent. According to him, that lack of commitment might explain why Rendon hasn’t achieved the success one might expect given his abilities.
Meanwhile, the Angels are taking advantage of the financial flexibility gained from the restructuring, signing former two-time All-Star relief pitcher Kirby Yates to a one-year, $5 million deal. This is the latest in a series of strategic offseason moves, as the team has also acquired other notable players, including All-Stars Jordan Romano, Alek Manoah, and Drew Pomerantz, while bringing in right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who missed all of 2025 due to elbow surgery, in a trade with the Orioles.
