The Los Angeles Angels are discussing a buyout of the final year of Anthony Rendon's $245 million contract, with the third baseman expected to retire if an agreement is reached. Rendon, 35, missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing left hip surgery in February. The deal, valued at $38 million for 2026, may include deferred payments to provide the Angels with financial flexibility.
Anthony Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels after helping the Washington Nationals win the 2019 World Series. Prior to joining the Angels, Rendon was one of the top third basemen in baseball, averaging 26 home runs, 100 RBI, and a .912 OPS over the four preceding seasons, accumulating 22.9 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference.
Rendon's time with the Angels has been marred by injuries. He appeared in 257 games over five seasons, posting 3.9 WAR, which averages fewer than 43 games per season. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, he played 52 of 60 games, hitting .286/.418/.497 with nine home runs and 2.5 fWAR. However, from 2021 to 2024, he played between 43 and 58 games each year due to issues including groin strains, a knee contusion, hamstring strains, hip impingements, wrist inflammation and surgery, a shin contusion, back inflammation, and an oblique strain. In February 2025, Rendon underwent left hip surgery, causing him to miss the entire season.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian stated in October that Rendon had not yet resumed baseball activities. During Rendon's 2025 absence, Yoán Moncada and Luis Rengifo each started more than 50 games at third base; both are now free agents.
Reports indicate that a buyout agreement could involve Rendon deferring some of the $38 million owed, allowing the Angels to gain payroll flexibility for the 2026 season. Rendon has faced questions about his commitment to baseball, once stating in 2024, “It’s never been a top priority for me. This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job.” If he retires, his career totals would include 1,173 games, 1,218 hits, 158 home runs, and 33.8 fWAR per FanGraphs.