Anthony Rendon is out the door.
The former Washington Nationals star signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, ESPN reported Wednesday night, ending his career with Washington.
Rendon was an integral part of the Nationals’ lineup as they won their first World Series in 2019. He finished third in National League MVP voting and was a Gold Glove runner-up at third base.
Rendon, who has played all seven of his major league seasons with Washington, led the National League in both RBI (a career-high 126) and doubles (44). His 19.9 Wins Above Replacement, per FanGraphs, over the past four seasons trails only the Angels’ Mike Trout, Boston’s Mookie Betts and Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich among position players.
Interestingly, Rendon’s contract value and length match what the Nationals gave starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg earlier this week to re-sign him. Managing principal owner Mark Lerner said in an interview with NBC Sports Washington that he expected the team could only re-sign one of the two marquee free agents.
The Nationals had remained in contact with the 29-year-old Rendon’s representatives Wednesday, according to general manager Mike Rizzo.
Rendon gets a $4 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and salaries of $25.5 million next season, $27.5 million in 2021, $36 million in 2022 and $38 million each year from 2023-26. He would receive a $250,000 bonus for World Series MVP, $150,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $125,000 for election as an All-Star starter and $100,000 for selection as a reserve.
Rendon is the third prized free agent to strike a big-money deal at this week’s baseball winter meetings. He’ll join three-time MVPs Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on a team that’s made just one postseason appearance in the past decade.
The Texas Rangers were considered favorites to land Rendon, partly because Rendon is a Texas native and partly because they had the money to spend.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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