The Los Angeles Angels appear set to close the book on one of the more disappointing contracts in recent club history.
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez is reporting that the Angels and veteran third-baseman Anthony Rendon are discussing a buyout for the final year of Rendon’s contract. The 35-year-old and oft-injured Rendon is expected to retire, Gonzalez adds.
Rendon has one year remaining on a seven-year, $245-million contract he signed in free agency after leading the Washington Nationals to a World Series title in 2019. His time with the Angels has been far from the glories of that final Nationals season, however, with multiple injuries and overall poor play.
Rendon did not play in 2025 due to hip surgery and never appeared in more than 58 games in any single season with the Angels. He finished third in National League MVP voting in 2019 while hitting .319/.412/.598, but that proved to be the peak of his career.
Gonzalez reports that Rendon is owed $38 million for the 2026 season and that a buyout, once finalized, is expected to include some of that money being deferred to give the Angels financial flexibility this off-season.
