Hailed as one of baseball’s greats, Anthony Rendon was supposed to be a game-changer for the Angels. A superstar signing that would push them toward contention. But instead of highlight reel moments and deep playoff runs, his time in the Angel City has been a rollercoaster of injuries, setbacks, and frustration.

A signing that was supposed to deliver carried the weight of expectations from the Angels fans. However, as the seasons passed, Rendon’s time with the Angels has been riddled with several issues. Injuries, inconsistency, and frustration. Now, following a hip surgery, his future with the team is in serious doubt, leaving both fans and analysts questioning what’s next for the once-dominant third baseman.

Buster Olney recently provided a deeper analysis of Rendon’s situation on his podcast Baseball night with Buster Olney. “He’s gonna be out for a significant period of time after having hip surgery,” Olney said, underscoring the gravity of Rendon’s ongoing injury woes. “What a disaster this deal has turned out to be,” he further added. He suggested that the Angels may even be contemplating a more drastic move, possibly allowing Rendon to “stay home”.

Baseball insider Jorge Castillo echoed similar sentiments, calling Anthony’s stint with the Angels “six years of frustration”. He pointed to Rendon’s public admission that baseball was never his top and foremost priority, which likely contributed to the challenges of getting the best out of him. His work ethic and desire to be great have often been called into question, and these doubts have lingered since his days with the Nationals. Castillo even reflected on how the Angels have consistently tried to get Rendon back on track: “The Angels tried really hard over the last 5-6 years to prop up Anthony Rendon, to motivate him, to make him look good, to try to squeeze as much value out of him.”

The problem, according to Castillo, is that the Angels are chasing and hoping for a version of Anthony that doesn’t exist anymore. “They are trying to capture the incredible genius baseball player that he was in DC, and this is going to end up being the worst contract in baseball history.” Rendon’s approach to the game has always been unique—a player who lets his glove do the talking. While there are no questions about his capabilities, the reality now is that his production doesn’t match the hefty contract the Angels have invested in him.

For now, it seems that Rendon’s time with the Angles is nearing its end. With Rendon’s future uncertain and the team’s hopes tied to his recovery, both sides are at a crossroads. But the clock is ticking, and the hope that Rendon would be the catalyst for the Angels’ success is all but gone.

Next in line: Angels secure Anthony Rendon’s replacement

With Anthony Rendon set to undergo hip surgery, the Los Angeles Angels were on a hunt to fill the void. The Angels were successful in their replacement pursuit by signing Yoan Moncada.

Yoan Moncada has recently signed a one-year 5 million deal with the Angels and will be expected to fill Anthony Rendon’s shoes. Rendon has posted a .242/.348/.369 slash line over the past 257 games with the Angels, but his performance has been a mix of highs and lows. Moncada, on the other hand, is projected to not exactly replicate but at least try to resolve the third baseman issues.

However, Yoan himself dealt with his own injury challenges over the past few seasons, leaving some uncertainty around his ability to step in. While his numbers are modest, Moncada’s real value could come from staying healthy and returning to the form that made him an impact player earlier in his career. The pressure will be on his shoulders to be healthy and consistent.

That said, Moncada has the opportunity to prove himself as a crucial asset during a challenging time for the Angels. But will he be able to deliver? Only time will tell!