The Los Angeles Angels have officially reached an agreement with veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon to buy out the final year of his contract, as reported by the Athletic. This deal frees the team from the obligation of paying Rendon $38,571,429 in 2026, his age-36 season. The buyout will defer this commitment over a span of three to five years, though specific payout details remain undisclosed. This financial maneuver is aimed at enhancing the Angels’ ability to navigate the free-agent market and take on salary commitments through trades.
Rendon initially joined the Angels before the 2020 season on a lucrative seven-year, $245 million deal after a successful stint with the Washington Nationals. Although he had a productive season in 2020, a series of injuries and overall decline have plagued his performance since. Over six seasons with the Angels, Rendon has accumulated a total WAR of only 3.9 while the team has spent upwards of $200 million on his salary. In stark contrast, he achieved a WAR of 34.2 during seven seasons with the Nationals. Notably, Rendon missed the entirety of the 2025 season following a second hip surgery and is not expected to return for 2026, averaging merely 41 games played annually since 2021.
From the perspective of the Angels, Rendon’s contract is regarded as one of the most unfavorable in Major League Baseball history. Reports suggest that he plans to retire after the completion of the buyout.
Currently, the Angels have Christian Moore tentatively slated for the third-base position. However, this recent restructuring could lead the team to seek an upgrade. Potential free-agent options include Eugenio Suárez and Alex Bregman, although Bregman may gravitate toward teams with stronger playoff aspirations. Additionally, the St. Louis Cardinals are exploring trade possibilities for Nolan Arenado, who hails from Newport Beach and could be a fitting addition for the Angels.
The Angels concluded the 2025 season with a disappointing 72-90 record, marking ten consecutive seasons of losing. Despite the challenges, the buyout of Rendon’s contract may present a fresh opportunity for the franchise to reshape their roster and make strides towards a more competitive future.