Angels’ Anthony Rendon saga should make Guardians fans appreciate José Ramírez more

At long last, the Los Angeles Angels have some clarity on Anthony Rendon. On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Sam Blum reported that the Angels and Rendon agreed to restructure Rendon’s deal so that the remaining $38 million he’s owed will be deferred over the next three-to-five years. 

Even though Rendon won’t return to the Angels, he’s still going to take up a space on the roster (for now) and will be placed on the 60-day injured list once spring training starts. 

Meanwhile, the Guardians will once again open camp with José Ramírez locked in at third base. No drama (we think). No zaniness (unless Tim Anderson is around). Just Ramírez balling out, per usual. 

While there’s never a bad time to appreciate what Ramírez brings to the table on the field and in the batter’s box, there’s no better time than the present given what the Angels have had to endure with Rendon. 

José Ramírez’s production looks even better when compared to Anthony Rendon

Simply put, Rendon’s contract is one of the worst in the history of professional sports. He signed a seven-year, $245 million pact with the Angels after winning the World Series with the Washington Nationals the year prior, and it didn’t take long for that contract to age poorly. 

After putting up solid numbers in the truncated 2020 season, he underwent hip surgery in 2021. Then he had wrist surgery in 2022 and suffered various injuries that kept him off the field for most of the 2023 and ‘24 seasons. Finally, he missed all of last season after undergoing hip surgery in the spring. 

In total, Rendon played in just 257 games during his time with the Angels and hit .242 with 22 home runs and 125 RBI. Meanwhile, Ramírez has hit .276 in that time with 198 home runs and 641 RBI while recording five All-Star nods, four Silver Sluggers and six seasons with MVP votes. 

That timeframe also includes Ramírez signing his seven-year, $141 extension that has evolved into one of the best deals in MLB history.

The last time Rendon saw the field for the Angels, he hit just .218 without a home run in 57 games in 2024 — the same year that Ramírez was an All-Star and finished fifth in MVP voting.

Even though the Guardians' lack of impact signings around Ramírez has been incredibly frustrating, Rendon’s anchor of a contract is a good reminder that sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make. 

On May 13, 2023, Rendon and the Angels played at Progressive Field in the second game of a three-game series, He went 0-for-2 with an RBI in Los Angeles’ loss and started his day by grounding out to Ramírez. 

It may have seemed hard to believe at the time, but it looks like that will be the last time Rendon will play at Progressive Field.