“Show Us He Can Still Play”: Anthony Rendon Gets a Strict Message From Angels’ GM After a Long Injury Crisis

When Anthony Rendon first landed in LA, fans were excited. He was an All-Star who hit over 300 effortlessly and was just coming off an unstoppable 2019 season. He and Mike Trout were the ones supposed to lead Los Angeles into the playoffs, but that remained just a dream – Rendon couldn’t even play 60 games a season for his team. Mainly, it was injuries that sidelined the Angels star and some sprinkles of suspensions.

This deadly combo proved one thing: Anthony Rendon wasn’t the same star he used to be. He was barely touching. 250, and let’s not even talk about stats, which were abysmal for a player of his caliber. And this season, there was no comeback story for Rendon. He finished the season just hitting. 218, without a single home run and only 14 RBIs to his name. The GM Perry Minasian isn’t thrilled with this, and it seems like he kind of has given up hope with Rendon.

Perry Minasian calls out Anthony Rendon

Los Angeles Angels GM Perry Minasian has made one thing clear—Rendon playing in 2025 isn’t guaranteed. Minisian told Foul Territory, “He’s going to have to come in and show us he can still play and earn the right to play every day.” Clearly, Anthony Rendon needs to stand up to the expectations of the team. However, Minasian also touched on the fact that the Angeles are a better team on the field with Rendon. But not this version, rather the ‘healthy Rendon’.

“Do we need a healthy Anthony Rendon who is that dynamic hitter in the box and has one of the highest aptitudes? Yes, we need that,” said Minasian. His frankness about Anthony Rendon’s struggles highlights that the team wants to see that change fast. The team is spending around $70 million combined on Mike Trout and Rendon, yet they both are injured half the time. We will know how exactly things go as far as Rendon and his progressions go. As of now, it seems like the Angels have a replacement!

Is Anthony Rendon’s role of third base in jeopardy?

Now, the elephant in the room is: Will Anthony Rendon continue as the Los Angeles Angels‘ third baseman in the upcoming 2025 season? The Angels have brought in Jorge Soler from the Atlanta Braves, so are they unsure of Mike Trout and Rendon? Also, they could be adding more flexibility to the lineup in terms of a designated hitter role – Soler got a two-year deal and has a history of DH, so that leaves the question of how much room is there for injury-laden Rendon.

As GM Minasian has stated, Rendon has to earn his spot. This time they are not going to give out handouts. Plus, Minasian didn’t say for the first time in Foul Territory that Anthony needed to prove his worth; he did so in September too. Minasian said to Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register, “When Anthony has played, he hasn’t been productive. So he’s going to have to come in and earn it. There’s no handouts.”

The Angels are also eyeing other options, like moving Luis Rengifo to the third base and moving Christian Moore up to second base. Rendon has two more precious years to prove himself. And 2025 could be the make-or-break season for him. Do you think he will bounce back? Share your take below.