Third baseman Anthony Rendon suited up in 257 games for the Los Angeles Angels and missed 877, a cost of nearly $953,307 per appearance. The deal is dead, yet the checks keep coming, and one X post put it bluntly.
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“The 7-year, $245,000,000 deal between the Angels and Anthony Rendon is finally over (although the Angels still owe him more than $30 million),” CodifyBaseball said in a post on X. “During this time, Rendon played 257 games and missed 877 games.”
This contract lives beyond the player’s career. Rendon, who came aboard in December 2019 after winning a World Series with the Washington Nationals, was available to play just 24.9% of the time on the Angels’ schedule, yet is still owed more than $30 million in deferred payments by the Angels through 2030.
“It’s never been a top priority for me,” said Rendon as Angels position players attended the 2024 spring training camp, as reported by the Associated Press. “This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family comes before this job. So if those things come before it, I’m leaving.”
The two-time Silver Slugger made this statement after playing four Angels seasons without playing more than 58 games in each. He cited his marriage and four kids, but a batting average of only .242, along with 22 home runs and 125 RBIs, a stark contrast to his $245M price tag.
Rendon’s quote, along with the figures, illustrates why the Angels couldn’t wait any longer. As of now, it is time to see how the front office will use the empty room he created.
Anthony Rendon’s Exit Gives the Angels Their Leanest Payroll Since 2013
Rendon’s departure also affects Anaheim’s books. Anaheim is expected to start 2027 with the lowest salary since 2013, when it was $137.27 million. Spotrac predicts a cash salary budget close to $110 million and a luxury tax of around $142 million.
Perry Minasian, Anaheim’s former general manager, structured the deal so that the remaining $38 million of Rendon’s salary is deferred into five $7.6 million payments by 2030. The luxury tax did not change, but there was an almost $80 million reduction in cash payroll in 2026.
Two major deals make up the bulk of the roster. Outfielder Mike Trout is to be paid around $35.5 million, while left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is to be paid $21 million.
The next biggest deal comes from shortstop Zach Neto and left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers in the arbitration group, which is expected to pay $24.65 million.
The Competitive Balance Threshold is $247 million; therefore, the Angels have approximately $105 million in salary cap before hitting the tax threshold. This gives them room to negotiate with free agents and sign extension contracts without exceeding the tax threshold.