The Los Angeles Angels have restructured Anthony Rendon’s contract, altering his pay distribution for the upcoming MLB season. Originally projected to be one of the highest-paid players at his position, Rendon’s $38 million will now be spread over the next few years due to significant injury setbacks that have sidelined him for most of the past seasons.
Contract Restructuring and Its Implications
Earlier this offseason, Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon seemed poised to be among the highest earners in Major League Baseball for his position. However, that status has shifted following a recent agreement between the Angels and Rendon to restructure the final year of his contract. Instead of receiving the full $38 million for the 2024 season, the amount will now be distributed over three to five years. This change comes as Rendon is expected to sit out the entire season as he continues to rehabilitate from injuries.
Rendon’s Troubling Injury History
Despite the positive outlook at the time of his signing, many analysts now consider Rendon’s contract one of the most problematic in MLB history. The third baseman played a pivotal role in the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series win and posted career-high statistics—34 home runs and 126 RBIs—leading the league in the latter category. He was seen as a prime addition to a roster featuring superstar Mike Trout and emerging star Shohei Ohtani.
However, things took a downturn soon after. Rendon had a decent performance during the shortened 2020 season, but a series of injuries—including groin and hamstring strains, oblique damage, hip impingements, wrist surgery, and a fractured tibia—have significantly limited his playing time. From 2021 to 2025, he missed 605 of a total 810 games. By the end of the upcoming season, Rendon will have participated in just 257 of a possible 1,032 games over seven years with the Angels.
Even with the revised payment structure, the Angels will complete the financial commitment of $245 million over the term of Rendon’s contract, translating to approximately $953,307 paid per game. Performance-wise, Rendon has not justified this expense; he recorded a .319/.412/.598 hitting line in his last season with Washington, yet with the Angels, he has managed just .242/.348/.369. Over five seasons, he has contributed only 22 home runs and 125 RBIs—remarkably fewer than his performance in the Nationals’ season where he played in 111 fewer games.
In addition to injuries, Rendon has faced disciplinary issues, including two suspensions that cost him nine games. He was involved in a bench-clearing brawl against the Seattle Mariners in 2022 while dealing with injuries, and a confrontation with a fan in 2023 further highlighted his challenges. At 36, Rendon’s future in baseball appears uncertain, especially given his struggles with consistency and health.
Before the 2024 season, Rendon remarked that playing baseball felt like “a job” to him, stating that his family and faith are his top priorities. This sentiment may raise questions for the Angels regarding their decision to invest heavily in him.
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