Anthony Rendon's latest injury cements Angels legacy as worst contract in MLB ever

There are a few constants when it comes to the Los Angeles Angels. Owner Arte Moreno is almost universally disliked for a litany of reasons. Fans continue to be worried about Mike Trout's future as he has battled health issues the last few years. But of course, the biggest constant has been Anthony Rendon and his complete inability to stay healthy and produce on the field.

Heading into the 2025 season, Rendon's contract was already the worst in baseball. Since signing a mega-deal before the 2020 season, he has AVERAGED just 51 games player per season over the past five seasons and has not hit a home run since July 2023. All of this while being the highest-paid third baseman in baseball. That's good work if you can get it.

Rendon's biggest problem — although not his only one — has been injuries, of which he has had many. Last season, a significant hamstring injury knocked him out for most of the year, and led to Angels' officials expressing exactly zero confidence in his future contributions.

Well, it's good that LA wasn't planning to rely on Rendon at all because on Wednesday it was revealed that he needs hip surgery and will be out for a extended period of time.

Anthony Rendon injury update: Angels third baseman may never suit up for LA again after hip surgery

Rendon was already on borrowed time heading into 2025. While he is still making north of $38 million a year for the next two seasons, the Angels were already sending signals that they were ready to move on. If he wanted to salvage his career, Rendon NEEDED to show up to spring training healthy and strong.

As it turns out, he is neither. While the exact details of his hip injury are not public knowledge just yet, all reporting indicates that Rendon is going to be out for a long time. Given that alone, it would not be shocking if the Angels take this opportunity to rip the bandaid off and cut their losses with Rendon.

Rendon's injury does open up a roster spot that presumably will go to Kenley Jansen, and removes some clutter from the Angels' lineup decision-making process. This isn't how anyone wanted Rendon's tenure to end, but it is also incredibly on-brand given how the first five years went as well.

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