Angels Articles

November 27, 2024 - Written by Brayden Zielke

The Tenure of Anthony Rendon

Day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year, it has become more evident that the signing of Anthony Rendon has been an utter nightmare. Rendon, 34, was signed to a seven-year deal worth $245 million in December of 2019. Rendon actually had a solid start to his term with the Angels, playing in 52 of the 60 games during the Covid-shortened 2020 season, batting .286 with 9 home runs and 31 RBIs. He also finished the season with an OPS+ of 150, the second highest in his career, and finished 10th in American League MVP voting. However, the next four seasons have been nothing short of abysmal for the former all-star and MVP finalist. From the 2021-24 seasons, Rendon only played in 31.6% of games and recorded no meaningful stats, batting close to the Mendoza Line and only hitting 13 home runs and driving in 94 runs over 205 games. So not only has he been missing most of his games with injuries, he isn’t even producing during the rare periods when he is healthy. Even though it is somewhat unlikely, because of the two years and $70 million left on his contract, the Angels should consider cutting Rendon or at the very least try to find his replacement. If the trend continues, Rendon will miss at least 100 games this season, which would leave the Angels without a 3rd baseman for yet another season.

Options for the Angels to Pursue at 3rd Base

Luis Rengifo

Although his name has been floated around in trade conversations over the last couple months, Luis Rengifo, 27, would make the most sense if the Angels are looking for an in-house solution to the 3rd base crisis. However, this solution depends on 2nd baseman Christian Moore making the Opening Day roster, which is something many fans, including myself, believe will happen. Although primarily a 2nd baseman in the past, Rengifo played more games at 3rd this season than he had in a season previously. This makes it easier to slide Rengifo into Rendon’s spot while smoothly transitioning Moore to be the Angels new 2nd baseman. Rengifo has been a mainstay of the Angels’ offense over the last 3 seasons and has played five different positions throughout his major league career, making him a significant piece that the Angels would hate to lose to an overcrowded roster. Rengifo could also start the season playing shortstop while incumbent Zach Neto recovers from shoulder surgery if the Angels decide to pursue an outside option to man the hot corner or continue to let Rendon start the season there while hoping he doesn’t get hurt again.

Alec Bohm

Alec Bohm, who is currently the starting 3rd baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, is a player the Angels could pursue via trade to join the team in 2025. Bohm, 28, is a consistent hitter in a stacked Phillies lineup who has shown some pop and is well-rounded with his skills at the plate. Many writers and fans have floated the idea of trading outfielder Taylor Ward to the Phillies for Bohm, which I think is a great idea. Ward, 30, was projected by many to be dealt at the 2024 trade deadline and garnered interest from teams, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was never dealt. With the Angels’ acquisition of Jorge Soler from the Braves, who will likely be the primary designated hitter, and the return of Mike Trout from the injured list, it raises the question as to whether Ward should be dealt for a player who plays a position of need or left to compete with Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak for a spot in the outfield. Jo Adell, 25, was once considered a bust and was known for his prowess and power in AAA and his struggles once he was called up to the majors, came into his own during the 2024 season. Adell finally showed off the power that everyone knew he had, slugging 20 home runs in 130 games. He also drastically improved his fielding, which had been a prominent issue in the past, totaling 6 defensive runs saved, tied for 1st amongst qualifying right fielders, and finishing as a Gold Glove finalist in the American League. Mickey Moniak, 26, is another former “bust” who turned his career around. Moniak was the 1st overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and was dealt to the Angels in the Noah Syndergaard trade after a very disappointing start to his career with the Phillies. In 2023, his first full season with the Angels, Moniak hit .280 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs while also displaying an OPS+ of 114. While his 2024 season was less fruitful, Moniak has shown the potential and skill that led to him being the 1st overall pick and has shown that he belongs on the field. Ward is a great hitter and a fan favorite, but Moniak and Adell are blossoming stars who are younger and have shown enough potential to warrant the trading of Ward. The Kansas City Royals have also checked in on both Bohm and Ward this offseason, but with their recent acquisition of utilityman Jonathan India, it is unclear how committed they are to adding another veteran player via trade. Bohm has also been discussed in a trade for White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet, but there have been reported concerns about Bohm’s second-half struggles, and it is unclear how many prospects the Phillies would need to sacrifice in their pursuit of Crochet. Bohm has two more seasons of team control before becoming a free agent, which is the same as Ward, making even more of a case for dealing Ward for Bohm.

Brett Baty

Brett Baty is a compelling player with a situation similar to Moniak’s when the Angels traded for him in 2022. Baty, 25, was also a former top prospect and high draft pick who hasn’t panned out as of yet. Baty has played in 169 games for the New York Mets and hasn’t produced much at all. Like Moniak, Baty could use a change of scenery to get going. However, it is unknown what the Mets asking price would be for a player who was once seen as the future of the franchise. Trading for Baty comes with the risk that he never ends up producing as an everyday starter. He has never proved that he can consistently hit Major League pitching, whereas Bohm has proved that he is a solid hitter who can be trusted to be a full-time starter. Baty would be a solid option if the Angels were looking into keeping Rendon through at least the 2025 season, giving him the chance to learn from veteran hitters and get chances to play during the inevitable periods where Rendon is injured or to fill in at DH and possibly left field when needed. Baty also comes with five years of team control if he stays in the Major Leagues and could be a solution in the post-Rendon future, which can’t seem to come quickly enough.

What We Could Be Stuck With

Anthony Rendon

My least favorite but most likely outcome is that the Angels go into the 2025 season with Anthony Rendon as their starting third baseman. While this is unlikely to last more than a few weeks and will probably end up with Rengifo playing 3rd anyway, it is still frustrating that General Manager Perry Minasian and Owner Arte Moreno are continuing to put their trust in Anthony Rendon to do the impossible: stay healthy. While I understand keeping Rendon because of his contract situation, I consider it foolish to not pursue backup options. If the Angels do decide to acquire a new 3rd baseman, Rendon should be on his way out so as to not ostracize Christian Moore from a roster spot. I would even prefer giving Rengifo the starting spot at 3rd and trusting Christian Moore to be the everyday starter at 2nd rather than trying yet again to keep Rendon healthy and in the lineup.

Final Thoughts

While it does seem likely that we will have another season of Anthony Rendon, I wouldn’t discount Minasian’s aggressiveness in the trade market. The Angels have been the most aggressive team of the offseason so far, trading for the aforementioned Jorge Soler from the Braves, signing infielder Kevin Newman, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks, and left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, while also claiming 1st baseman Ryan Noda off waivers from the Athletics and trading cash considerations to the Phillies for infielder Scott Kingery. The Angels have added close to $50 million in payroll for the 2025 season, and nothing shows that they plan on stopping, especially if the right deal presents itself. The Angels could add a 3rd baseman in free agency, but those deals are much less lucrative and riskier, so I would personally be led to believe that any 3rd basemen acquired via free agency aren’t future solutions and would serve as veteran backups to help teach the younger players and fill in for injuries and off-days.

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