Angels Restructure Anthony Rendon Contract, Ending His Playing Career

This article takes a look at the Los Angeles Angels’ decision to restructure the final year of Anthony Rendon’s massive contract. It’s a quiet but pretty definitive signal that his days on the field for the franchise are done.

Let’s get into why the deal was reworked, what it means for the Angels’ payroll, and, honestly, what Rendon’s disappointing time in Anaheim says about both sides.

The End of the Anthony Rendon Era in Anaheim

After years of injuries, frustration, and unmet expectations, the Angels and Anthony Rendon agreed to restructure the last year of his seven-year, $245 million contract. Rendon hasn’t officially retired, but this agreement pretty much closes the book on his time in an Angels uniform.

He was supposed to make $38 million in the final season. Now, the total contract value stays the same, but the money’s been shifted around in some undisclosed way.

Any deferred funds will earn interest, so the present-day value of the contract stays protected.

Why the Restructuring Matters

Major League Baseball and the players’ union signed off on the restructuring. That’s a crucial step, given all the rules around guaranteed contracts.

Since Rendon hasn’t formally retired, he’s still on the Angels’ 40-man roster for now. This move lets the organization avoid the ongoing distraction of having an injured star rehabbing with no real path back to the field.

Payroll Flexibility and a Cleaner Path to 2026

For the Angels, this is about clarity and flexibility. By reshaping how Rendon’s $38 million gets paid, the team frees up some breathing room as it looks to 2026 and beyond.

The Angels have already spent years acting as if Rendon wouldn’t be their everyday third baseman. This restructuring just makes that official and lets the front office plan without that immovable contract looming.

A Strategic Shift for the Front Office

The exact payroll savings aren’t public. Still, even a little extra flexibility can matter for a team trying to build depth around a younger core.

The Angels also sidestep the constant scrutiny that would’ve come with Rendon staying on the roster but unable to play.

Injuries That Defined Rendon’s Angels Tenure

Rendon, now 35, didn’t appear in a single game during the 2025 season. In spring training, the team announced he needed hip surgery—just the latest in a long line of physical setbacks.

His injury list included:

Availability Was the Biggest Issue

Over his first six seasons with the Angels, Rendon played just 257 games. That’s about 25 percent of the team’s games over five years—wild for someone paid at the top of the sport.

From MVP Caliber to Costly Gamble

The results never matched the investment. Rendon put up 3.9 WAR as an Angel, batting .242 with a .717 OPS.

Those numbers are nowhere close to the elite, MVP-level production he had with the Nationals before signing that contract.

What’s Next at Third Base?

The Angels have been preparing for life after Rendon for a while now. They’ve brought in Gio Urshela and Yoán Moncada as temporary fixes, making it clear they’ve moved on.

Internal Options and Outside Targets

Looking ahead to 2026, the Angels have a handful of internal third-base options:

They might also get some help from Oswald Peraza or Kyren Paris at third. If the front office wants to look outside, there are some tempting possibilities—Alex Bregman, Eugenio Suárez, Kuzuma Okamoto, or maybe even Nolan Arenado if things get wild.

 
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