Anthony Rendon’s 2026 Salary Deferred Over Five Years

The Los Angeles Angels made a big financial move this offseason by reaching a buyout with longtime third baseman Anthony Rendon. This closes Rendon’s on-field chapter with the team and shakes up the club’s payroll in a major way.

This article looks at how the deal works, what it means for the Angels’ finances, and what it could mean for their roster-building plans as they look toward 2026.

Anthony Rendon’s Buyout Signals the End of an Era

After years of injuries and limited time on the field, the Angels and Rendon agreed to a buyout. He hasn’t officially retired, but the terms of the deal make it pretty clear his Major League career is probably over.

How the Buyout Is Structured

Rendon was owed $38 million for the 2026 season. Instead of paying all at once, the Angels split the money into five annual payments.

He’ll get $7.6 million each year from 2026 through 2030. This spreads out the financial hit and gives the team some breathing room right now.

Payroll Relief Brings Short-Term Flexibility

The buyout’s real impact comes with payroll relief. By deferring Rendon’s salary, the Angels cut their 2026 payroll by $30.4 million compared to paying him all at once.

General Manager’s Cautious Approach

General manager Perry Minasian wouldn’t say if the team will spend those savings right away. He mentioned possible roster moves before Opening Day but didn’t promise anything aggressive.

Where the Angels’ Payroll Stands Now

Coming into the offseason, the Angels already had $126.7 million in guaranteed salaries. That number jumped by $12.95 million after the team added a few veterans on one-year deals.

Recent Additions and Arbitration Costs

Here are the players the Angels signed on short-term contracts:

• Kirby Yates
• Drew Pomeranz
• Jordan Romano
• Alek Manoah

The team’s arbitration-eligible players are expected to cost about $20 million. Without the Rendon deferral, payroll would have been close to $160 million before even counting minimum-salary guys.

A Path Back to Big Spending?

With the deferral, the Angels’ payroll drops to around $130 million. That’s a lot less than the $193 million they had going into 2025.

In theory, that gives the team room to chase big-name free agents if they want.

Key Roster Needs Remain

If the Angels decide to spend, they’ve got some obvious holes to fill:

• Second base
• Third base
• Center field
• Catcher depth
• A mid-rotation starter
• Another high-leverage reliever

Even plugging a couple of these gaps could really shift the team’s outlook.

Uncertainty Looms Over Long-Term Decisions

Even with more flexibility, the Angels seem wary of big, long-term deals. The collapse of their local broadcast deal with Main Street Sports has thrown their revenue into question.

And who knows—if there’s a lockout in December, that could throw another wrench into everything.

One-Year Deals Reflect Organizational Caution

You can see the club’s uncertainty in their leadership decisions. The Angels brought in Kurt Suzuki as manager on a one-year deal.

Talks with Albert Pujols apparently hit a wall over how long a contract he wanted.

 
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