The Los Angeles Angels and Anthony Rendon have restructured his final contract year, deferring the $38.57 million owed for 2026 over three to five years, as first reported December 30. The move provides team flexibility and likely concludes Rendon's injury-marred Angels tenure after he missed 2025 due to hip surgery.
First reported by The Associated Press, MLB.com, and The Athletic on December 30, 2025—with official announcement pending—the agreement amends the final year of Rendon's seven-year, $245 million free-agent deal signed after his 2019 World Series win with the Washington Nationals. General manager Perry Minasian had signaled explorations at the Winter Meetings, pending approvals from agent Scott Boras, MLB, and the MLBPA.
Rendon, 35, has been limited to 257 of 1,032 possible games over five Angels seasons (.242/.348/.369, 22 HR, 125 RBI, .717 OPS), with his strong 2020 pandemic year (.286/.418/.497 in 52 games) followed by declines amid injuries: hip surgeries (2025 and prior), fractured tibia (2023), wrist/hamstring (2022/2024), and issues with groin, knee, shin, obliques, back, and wrists. In 2024, he hit .218/.307/.267 with no homers and 14 RBI in 57 games. He remains on the active roster but is expected on the 60-day injured list, rehabbing in Houston; retirement is speculated post-buyout.
Rendon's tenure drew scrutiny for underperformance and comments prioritizing family/faith over baseball, calling it 'just a business' and admitting he doesn't watch the sport. The deal joins Angels' high-profile disappointments under owner Arte Moreno, akin to pacts for Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, and Stephen Strasburg's with the Nationals.
With Rendon sidelined, the Angels—who finished 72-90 in 2025, extending a 10-year losing streak—seek a third baseman (recent free agents Luis Rengifo, Yoán Moncada) plus pitching and center field help. They signed reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year, $5 million deal. Rendon's career: .280/.364/.464, 158 HR, 671 RBI in 1,173 games, with 2019 All-Star, Silver Slugger, and NL MVP runner-up honors.
