This article digs into Anthony Rendon’s likely retirement and buyout from the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a move that pretty much closes the book on one of the most polarizing contracts in recent memory.
Let’s look back at how a World Series hero in Washington ended up as the centerpiece of a failed Angels gamble. Why did injuries and attitude turn a blockbuster deal into a cautionary tale? And what does this buyout mean for Rendon’s legacy or the Angels’ future payroll?
Anthony Rendon and the Angels: From Franchise Savior to Financial Anchor
After the 2019 season, the Angels handed Anthony Rendon a seven-year, $245 million contract. They thought they were getting an elite two-way third baseman, right in his prime.
Rendon had just helped the Nationals win it all. He looked like the perfect offensive sidekick for Mike Trout and, eventually, Shohei Ohtani.
But the deal quickly turned into a cautionary tale about big-ticket free agents. It didn’t just hurt on the field; it wrecked the balance sheet too.
With one year and $38 million still due, both sides are reportedly hashing out a buyout. Rendon seems ready to walk away from baseball.
From World Series Star to Big-Money Signing
In 2019, Rendon was everything a team could want. He hit .319, launched 34 homers, and posted elite on-base and slugging numbers.
He played a crucial role in the Nationals’ first World Series title. His plate discipline, gap power, and steady defense made him one of baseball’s most complete players.
The Angels jumped at the chance, giving him that massive deal. They pictured a core of Rendon, Trout, and Ohtani leading them back to contention and finally shoring up the infield.
At first, especially in 2020, it looked like the right move.
A Promising 2020 Before the Slide
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Rendon looked like a worthy centerpiece. The sample size was small, but he showed the same selective approach and gap-to-gap power that made him a star in D.C.
The Angels felt confident they had their guy for the long haul. Then everything started to unravel.
Injuries Turn a Blockbuster Deal into a Bust
From 2021 through 2024, Rendon’s availability became the Angels’ biggest headache. Every year started with optimism, glimpses of his old self, then—another trip to the injured list.
A Career Derailed by a Laundry List of Ailments
Rendon played only 43 to 58 games each season from 2021 to 2024. His slash line over that stretch — .231/.329/.336 — tells the story of a guy who just couldn’t stay healthy or find his rhythm.
By the time hip surgery entered the picture, the hope of a full bounce-back season felt unrealistic. Rendon’s body just wouldn’t cooperate.
Attitude Questions Add Fuel to the Fire
It wasn’t just about injuries. Rendon caught heat for his attitude and public comments, even calling baseball “boring” and saying the season’s too long.
Those remarks stung more coming from a highly paid star who rarely played. Then came the disciplinary issues—he got suspended for an altercation with a fan and got into a brawl that led to more league discipline.
As the injuries piled up and production faded, fans ran out of patience. Those incidents just made everything feel more disconnected between Rendon, the team, and the people who paid to watch.
Impact on the Angels and the Logic of a Buyout
While Rendon struggled, the Angels tried to build around Trout and Ohtani. On paper, the trio should’ve been the backbone of a contender.
In reality, it never came together.
A Contract That Handcuffed the Payroll
Rendon’s deal didn’t just miss on performance. It also tied up the Angels’ payroll, locking them into a huge salary for a player who couldn’t deliver.
That financial weight made it tougher to build a strong pitching staff or add depth. The Angels ended up stuck in mediocrity—never completely tanking, but never really making a run in October either.
Now, a buyout before the final year changes things. Rendon’s expected to retire instead of trying to come back in 2025 after hip surgery.
The Angels can finally start reshaping their books and maybe look toward 2026 and beyond with a bit more hope.
Rendon’s Legacy: Talent, Triumph, and “What If?”
On paper, Anthony Rendon’s career numbers are nothing to dismiss. Over 1,173 games, he collected 1,218 hits and 158 home runs.
He racked up roughly 34 wins above replacement. At his peak, you could build a championship roster around him — and the Nationals actually did.
But legacy isn’t built on peak alone. In Anaheim, he became a symbol of unrealized potential and organizational frustration.
Angels fans will probably remember him as the contract that never paid off. The missing piece that just stayed missing, year after year.
Still, Rendon will always be a World Series champion and an elite hitter in his prime. He’s a reminder of how fragile star power can be once injuries and circumstance get in the way.
Here is the source article for this story: Angels, Anthony Rendon Discussing Contract Buyout With Rendon Expected To Retire
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