After missing out on free-agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the Los Angeles Angels were still intent on making a big signing and inked third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract. Rendon, who won the World Series last year as a member of the Washington Nationals, finished first in the National League in RBIs last season (126), came in sixth in OPS and fourth in on-base percentage.
But those numbers all represent career bests for the 29-year-old third baseman which makes the signing seem like a risk for LA.
“We’re within some structure of a budget and a payroll forecast that you relatively want to be near, and then we just take those opportunities to Arte and see if he’ll grant us the permission to do those things,” Angels general manager Billy Eppler said prior to the agreement being reached. “There’s good players out there, and players that warrant some sizable contracts. I know the players that he likes.”
Considered one of the best defensive third basemen in MLB, Rendon finished fifth in NL MVP in 2014 after hitting .287 with 83 RBIs, 21 homers, 17 stolen bases and 111 runs. Since then, he has had some good seasons but 2019 was probably his best overall year in MLB since his breakout campaign.
The star infielder was offered a seven-year deal worth between $210 million and $215 million to remain in Washington after playing last season on a one-year, $18.8 million deal.
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