Former Nationals legend and 2019 World Series Champion Anthony Rendon, is looking to call it quits on his 13-Year MLB Career. Reports have come out that the Angels are in negotiations to buyout the final year of Rendon's contract, which would ultimately lead to his retirement.
He has put together a great career, highlighted by his 2019 World Series season, but injuries and age have caught up to the 35-Year old. It is only right that we show praise to the former Nationals legend by recapping his memorable career.
Anthony Rendon as a Washington National
Rendon played 7 seasons with the Nationals (2013-2019). In this time, he finished Top-11 in MVP voting in four separate seasons, topped by his 2019 season in which Rendon finished 3rd in NL MVP voting. Rendon also added (1) All Star Game and (2) Silver Sluggers (2014, 2019).
In his Nationals career, Rendon batted .290 with a .859 OPS. Rendon sits 7th in Nationals History regarding Total Career Home Runs (136). He is 9th in Team History in Hits (994), 8th in Extra Base Hits, and 3rd in OPS. We can go on for days, but Rendon is one of the more legendary Nationals since their founding.
2019 Washington Nationals Championship Season
The Nationals fielded their best season of all-time when they won the 2019 World Series. In this, many key players played a part, ranging from Juan Soto to Stephen Strasburg, Trea Turner, Howie Kendrick, and Max Scherzer. Anthony Rendon also played a vital part, commonly batting in the 3-hole.
In 2019, Rendon came in with an average of .319. He also had an OPS of (1.010), 6th best in the MLB. He marked 6th in the MLB in Batting Average, 1st in Total RBI's, and 1st in Doubles. This begged his nickname "Tony Two-Bags".
The Nationals ultimately took home the World Series in Game Seven over the Houston Astros. In the series, Rendon batted 8-for-29 with (5) Extra Base Hits and (2) Home Runs — (1) in Game 6 and (1) in Game 7.
Where Anthony Rendon Stands Among Nationals Greats
In February of 2025, Bill Ladson of MLB.com listed his All-Nats Team in a 20-year celebration. Rendon was the starting 3rd baseman, outlasting the multi-positional Ryan Zimmerman. In terms of just purely Nationals history, he is undoubtedly one of the best players in club history, and should be celebrated as a forever Champion in the city of Washington DC.
In a 2024 piece by our own, Bennett Lehmann, he also listed Rendon as the starting 3rd baseman and batting himself 5th in the all-time lineup, behind Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, and ahead of Ryan Zimmerman. It will be extremely likely that Rendon sees praise from the Nationals in the near-future as an all-time great, and he should be around for the next big anniversary of the World Series team in 2029.
Anthony Rendon Prepares to Retire Amid Imminent Contract Buyout
The Angels signed Rendon to a 7-Year $210 Million contract in 2020 following the World Series victory by the Nationals. Infamously, the Nationals had to choose between Rendon and Strasburg in free agency, and ultimately opted to hold onto the reigning World Series MVP. He followed this up with great success in 2020, marking up a (286) Batting Average and (.915) OPS. He finished 10th in AL MVP voting.
Rendon's Angels career was plagued by injuries. He only had played (257) Total Games for the team. His contact was never deferred, but the $38 Million buyout may be. This would offer great flexibility for the Angels payroll.
As Rendon enters the final year of his contract, it seems like this buyout would be mutually beneficial. Rendon is well past his prime, in part due to his injuries. He will set sail for retirement as the Angels remodel their payroll at the expense of Rendon. We wish the best and great health to Rendon in his post-MLB days.