Rendon’s contract buyout is another reminder that the Rangers dodged a bullet by not matching the Angels' contract that off-season.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Angels reportedly bought out the remainder of 3rd baseman Anthony Rendon’s contract.
The news marks the end of what will go down as one of the worst free-agent contracts in MLB history.
In 2019, Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million deal to head to Anaheim fresh off winning a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in a season in which he was among the game's best hitting .319 with 34 home runs and a league-leading 126 RBI.
However, in the five seasons after that, Rendon played in just 257 out of 810 possible games and hit just 22 home runs and drove in 125.
Despite never having played for the Texas Rangers, Rendon certainly has a bit of a connection to the franchise.
Before signing with the Angels in 2019, Rendon was amongst the Rangers' top targets that offseason. Texas was ultimately outbid by Los Angeles and was glad that they were.
At the time, the Rangers were looking to increase payroll in an attempt to put a competitive team on the field as they moved into Globe Life Field that season.
The Rangers did make some moves that winter, bringing in veteran Robinson Chirinos and Todd Fraizer as well as making the infamous Corey Kluber trade.
Unfortunately for Texas, that season did not go to plan as the COVID-19 pandemic struck during Spring Training and the Rangers finished just 22-38 in the shortened 60-game season.
As for their longer-term 3rd base situation, the Rangers had a revolving door for a few years before eventually turning to Josh Jung, whom they picked in the first round the summer before making an offer to Rendon.
Jung ended up being a key piece on the Rangers first World Series championship team in 2023, as he was an all-star that season.
Rendon’s contract buyout is another reminder that the Rangers dodged a bullet by not matching the Angels' contract that off-season.