Angels part ways with Rendon, defer final year of $245 million contract

Anthony Rendon’s time with the Los Angeles Angels has ended.

The team agreed to defer the final year of the third baseman’s $245 million contract on Tuesday, according to multiple reports, following years of disappointment since he joined the club after the 2019 season. Rendo was owed $38 million for 2026.

The former Washington National missed all of last season with a hip injury. Rendon is still on the roster and continuing to rehab at home in Houston

Rendon has played just 257 games in six years with Los Angeles. He has not played in more than 60 games in a season for the franchise, as constant injuries derailed his career. He dealt with injuries to his groin, his left knee, his left hamstring, his left shin, his oblique muscles, his lower back, both wrists and both hips during the past five years.

Rendon also alienated Angels fans with public comments in which he appeared to say he doesn’t like baseball, although he attempted to clarify his connection to the game as a business relationship that isn’t as important as his family or his religion. Rendon had previously criticized the length of games and excitement level of baseball, saying he doesn’t watch the sport.

During the Nationals’ 2019 world title campaign, Rendon slammed 34 homers and drove in 126 runs while leading the National League with 44 doubles and hitting .319 in 146 games. 

In the six years since that run, the former All-Star has managed just 50 doubles, 22 home runs and 122 RBIs in 257 games. If Rendon doesn’t play in 2026, he will have appeared in only about a quarter of the Angels’ total games during his seven seasons with the team.

Rendon, who will become a free agent, has not said whether he plans to retire or join a new club this offseason.

This article is based in part on wire service reports.