The Los Angeles Angels have faced significant challenges in recent seasons, particularly after superstar Shohei Ohtani departed for the Los Angeles Dodgers, significantly impacting the team’s prospects. The Angels’ investment in third baseman Anthony Rendon, once seen as a cornerstone for their lineup, has instead contributed to their struggles on the field.
The Rendon Signing: High Hopes and Disappointment
In 2019, the Los Angeles Angels made a bold move by signing third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal. At the time, this acquisition made sense: Rendon had recently triumphed with the Washington Nationals and was recognized as an All-Star and an All-MLB First Team player. The Angels envisioned a formidable batting duo forming with Rendon and Ohtani. However, this vision never materialized as planned.
Since his signing, the Angels have seen Ohtani depart for their city rivals while Rendon has been sidelined, missing 75% of the games played during his tenure. Remarkably, he is set to become the highest-paid third baseman in Major League Baseball next season despite his lackluster performance.
Analyzing the Rendon Contract
Rendon’s seven-year deal brought an average annual value of $35 million, fully guaranteed, yet included no trade options or performance bonuses. Initially, he performed well during the condensed 2020 season, appearing in 52 out of 60 games. However, injuries soon plagued him: from 2021 to 2025, he participated in only 205 out of 810 games, missing a staggering 605 games due to various injuries, including strains and surgeries.
During this span, the Angels paid Rendon around $152 million, receiving only 205 games in return. This translates to over $740,000 for every appearance he made. The disparity became even more pronounced when considering his disappointing performance metrics, contributing little to the team’s offensive efforts. Multiple seasons saw him delivering a WAR close to or in the negatives, leading to a significant return on investment for the Angels.
A Stark Salary-Production Disparity
When compared to the top third basemen in baseball—like Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado, and Rafael Devers—Rendon’s salary far exceeds their earnings, yet his overall contributions to the team fall short. With an OPS of .666, he ranks below the league average, and in 2025 alone, 136 players outperformed him in this statistic. This stark contrast reveals the shortcomings of the Angels’ high-profile signing.
Furthermore, the Angels did not ensure Rendon’s contract, meaning the financial setbacks from his injuries hit the team directly. Unlike many other large contracts, which are often insured, this absence of financial protection highlighted the risk in investing heavily in an injury-prone player.
Lessons Learned and Future Considerations
The initial intent behind the Rendon signing was to bolster the Angels’ roster during Ohtani’s prime. Unfortunately, the team continued to struggle, particularly in pitching, while the costly contract limited their flexibility to make adjustments. As Rendon’s injuries mounted, the ongoing disconnect between his salary and performance intensified.
As the final year of Rendon’s contract approaches, set for $38.6 million, the Angels are poised to move on from this costly investment, provided he does not deliver a remarkable comeback. This contract is likely to be remembered as one of the most significant blunders in modern MLB history.
John is a seasoned journalist at The Bothside News, specializing in balanced reporting across news, sports, business, and lifestyle. He believes in presenting multiple perspectives to help readers form informed opinions. His work embodies the publication’s philosophy that truth emerges from examining all sides of every story.
