The Los Angeles Angels have finally brought an end to one of the most disappointing chapters in their history, agreeing to buy out the final year of Anthony Rendon's colossal contract.
A Deal That Turned Sour
The Angels signed Rendon to a staggering seven-year, $245 million deal in 2019, making him the highest-paid third baseman in the game at the time. This came after a career-best season with the Washington Nationals, where he was instrumental in their World Series victory. However, his time in Anaheim proved to be a stark contrast to his Washington success.
Injuries plagued Rendon's entire tenure with the Angels. From 2021 to 2024, he managed to appear in just 205 of a possible 648 games. A litany of issues, including problems with his groin, knee, hamstring, shin, oblique, back, wrists, and hips, kept him off the field. His performance when fit was sub-par, with a slash line of just .231/.329/.336 during that period.
The Final Straw and Fan Reaction
The situation reached its conclusion when the team announced in February that Rendon would miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign due to a hip injury requiring surgery. This final setback prompted the Angels to negotiate a buyout of the remaining one year, worth $38 million.
The agreement will see the Angels pay that sum over the next three to five years, allowing both parties to move on. For the Angels' long-suffering supporters, the news has been met with immense relief and frustration. On social media platform X, fans branded the contract "one of the worst in sports history," with comments ranging from "A historic disappointment" to "Heist of the century."
More Than Just Injuries
Rendon's legacy in Anaheim is not defined solely by his time on the treatment table. His public comments also drew scrutiny. He openly admitted that baseball was not his foremost priority, viewing it as a job and expressing little interest in accolades or the spotlight. His last home run for the Angels was on July 1, 2023, and he never played more than 58 games in a single season for the club.
The buyout marks the official end of a six-season spell that failed spectacularly to live up to its $245 million promise. For the Angels organisation and its fans, it represents a costly but necessary step to turn the page on a failed investment and look towards the future.
