Angels, Anthony Rendon Negotiating Final Year Contract Buyout

The Los Angeles Angels are in negotiations to buy out the final year of Anthony Rendon’s significant contract. This potential deal could bring an end to a seventh-year, $245 million agreement. The negotiations emerge after a season where Rendon, recovering from hip surgery, played no games.

Contract Details and Financial Impact

Currently, Rendon is set to earn $38 million in 2026. Initial discussions indicate that part of this amount may be deferred, allowing the Angels some financial flexibility this offseason. The formalities of the buyout are still in progress, and such arrangements can be complex.

Rendon’s Career Highlights

• In December 2019, the Angels made Rendon the highest-paid third baseman in the league.
• He was pivotal for the Washington Nationals, helping them secure their first World Series title.
• During 2016-2019, he ranked among the top nine position players in FanGraphs wins above replacement (fWAR).

Rendon previously exhibited remarkable skills as a hitter and defender. He was known for his .299 batting average, .384 on-base percentage, and .528 slugging percentage over a four-year span. His notable last season with the Nationals resulted in a third-place finish in the National League MVP voting.

Challenges and Injuries

However, injuries have plagued Rendon’s time with the Angels. Over the past five years, he played in only 205 of 810 games due to various injuries, significantly hampering his performance. Notably, he struggled with serious issues related to his left hip and other body parts.

The culmination of injuries led to his hip surgery announcement on February 12, 2025, sidelining him for the entire season. His last game for the Angels was on July 1, 2023, coinciding with a period when both he and Mike Trout faced injury setbacks.

Angels’ Recent Performance

The Angels have not advanced to the playoffs since 2014 and have suffered a decade of below-.500 seasons. The team has struggled, especially with the key injuries of their highest-paid players. The recent hire of Kurt Suzuki as manager marks the Angels’ sixth managerial change in eight years, reflecting the franchise’s ongoing challenges.

As talks continue regarding Rendon’s contract, the Angels hope to solidify their roster and address crucial needs as they prepare for the upcoming season.