Angels Finalize $38 Million Buyout to End Anthony Rendon’s Tenure
Anaheim, Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
The Angels agreed to a $38 million settlement to terminate Anthony Rendon’s contract, concluding a tenure where injuries limited the infielder to just 257 of 1,032 possible games.
Financial Restructuring and Sunk Costs
The settlement involves a strategic restructuring of the final year of Rendon’s contract. Rather than a lump-sum payment in 2026, the Angels and Rendon have agreed to defer the outstanding $38 million salary over a period ranging from three to five years [1][2]. This move is designed to provide the organization with immediate payroll relief, freeing up capital to pursue high-profile free agents as they prepare for the upcoming season [1]. The 35-year-old third baseman will technically remain on the 40-man roster initially but is expected to be placed on the 60-day injured list when eligible, with no plans for him to return to the team environment [1].
A Tenure Defined by Ailments
Rendon’s time in Anaheim stands as a stark example of the risks associated with long-term, high-value contracts. Signed to a seven-year, $245 million deal following a World Series victory with the Washington Nationals in 2019, his availability plummeted after his debut season [1][3]. While he performed well during the shortened 2020 campaign, playing 52 of 60 games with a slash line of .286/.418/.497, his subsequent years were derailed by persistent injuries [2]. Over his five-year tenure, Rendon participated in only 24.903% of possible games [1]. His medical history includes hip surgery in 2021, wrist surgery in 2022, and a second hip surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season [1][2].
Strategic Pivot for 2026
This buyout signals a definitive pivot for the Angels as they attempt to recover from a last-place finish in the American League West, where they posted a 72-90 record in 2025 [3]. The front office is aggressively utilizing the financial flexibility created by the buyout to reshape the roster. The club has already executed trades for Grayson Rodriguez and Vaughn Grissom, alongside signing veteran arms Drew Pomeranz, Kirby Yates, and Jordan Romano [3]. This roster overhaul will be overseen by new manager Kurt Suzuki, who was hired following Ron Washington’s departure due to health issues [4]. Ideally, reallocating the funds previously committed to Rendon will allow the Angels to build a more competitive and durable squad for the 2026 campaign.