Anthony Rendon’s $245 Million Contract Stands as MLB’s Costliest Miscalculation

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon will become baseball’s highest-paid player at his position next season. He is set to earn $38.6 million for the 2026 campaign. This comes after a five-year stretch where he missed a staggering 75% of the team’s games. The situation highlights one of the most expensive free-agent misses in Major League Baseball history.

According to Associated Press reports, the Angels signed Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in 2019. The contract was intended to build a contender around superstar Shohei Ohtani. Instead, the team has endured consistent losing seasons and Ohtani’s eventual departure.

Breaking Down the Staggering Financials

The Angels committed $35 million per year to Rendon with a full no-trade clause. The deal contained no opt-outs or performance bonuses. It was a massive, fully-guaranteed investment in a player coming off a World Series win with the Washington Nationals.

From 2021 through the 2025 season, the Angels played 810 regular-season games. Rendon appeared in only 205 of those contests. He missed 605 games due to a long list of significant injuries.

The team paid Rendon approximately $152 million during that five-year period. This translates to over $740,000 per game played. His cumulative .666 OPS during this time was far below the league average.

A Glaring Disconnect Between Pay and Performance

Rendon’s salary for 2026 will exceed that of every other third baseman. This group includes consistent All-Stars like Nolan Arenado and Rafael Devers. Those players provide elite offense and defense while staying on the field.

Rendon’s .666 OPS ranked outside the top 130 hitters in the league in 2025. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metric was negative or near-zero in multiple seasons. This indicates he provided minimal value when he was actually healthy enough to play.

The Angels’ contract was reportedly uninsured. This is common for mega-deals due to high premiums. The result is that the club has absorbed the entire financial burden directly onto its payroll.

The Ripple Effects on a Franchise

The Rendon signing was meant to anchor the lineup during Ohtani’s prime. Its failure had cascading consequences for the entire organization. The massive financial commitment tied up resources that could have improved the team’s chronically weak pitching staff.

The Angels failed to reach the playoffs once during Ohtani’s tenure. They ultimately watched him leave for the crosstown Dodgers in free agency. The Dodgers have since won two consecutive World Series titles.

The team was left with a highly-paid, often-injured veteran and a depleted roster. This combination has contributed to the Angels’ extended run of mediocrity.

Unless Anthony Rendon delivers a miraculous late-career resurgence, his $245 million deal will be remembered as a historic misallocation of resources. The contract serves as a cautionary tale for teams considering massive, long-term commitments to players with emerging injury concerns.

Thought you’d like to know

How many games has Anthony Rendon missed with the Angels?

From 2021 through 2025, Rendon missed 605 of the Angels’ 810 games. This means he was absent for nearly 75 percent of the team’s schedule over that five-year stretch.

What is Anthony Rendon’s salary for next season?

Rendon is scheduled to earn $38.6 million in the final year of his contract. This will make him the highest-paid third baseman in Major League Baseball for the 2026 season.

What was Anthony Rendon’s performance when he did play?

His cumulative on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) from 2021-2025 was .666. This is significantly below the league average and well off the production of other highly-paid stars at his position.

Why couldn’t the Angels trade Anthony Rendon?

His contract included a full no-trade clause, giving him complete control over any potential move. His massive salary and extensive injury history also made a trade practically impossible.

What was the total value of Anthony Rendon’s contract?

The Angels signed Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal before the 2020 season. The contract was fully guaranteed and did not include any opt-out clauses for the player.

Trusted Sources

Associated Press, ESPN, MLB.com