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Anthony Rendon's four seasons with the Los Angeles Angels have been filled with frustration and drenched with disappointment. Since g a seven-year, $245 million contract before the start of the 2020 season, Rendon has yet to play more than 60 games in a season while representing the Angels, and his presence is wearing thin for fans of the beleaguered franchise.
Rendon's skirmishes with local media have also harmed his reputation in and around Angel Stadium, and the former All-Star third baseman on Monday avoided answering questions about his shin ailment with a response that some could consider clever -- but others will find infuriating.
Evasive Rendon refuses to talk to media -- again
Rendon has missed much of the 2023 season after he suffered a shin injury on July 4. The Angels have not provided many updates on the third baseman's condition, so it has been up to local media to try to find answers from the man himself.
But that's been easier said than done. The latest example is when Rendon told reporters "no habla ingles today" after Los Angeles lost 6-3 to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
Rendon, who was suspended by Major League Baseball following a verbal altercation with an Oakland A's fan earlier this season, has sidestepped reporters on numerous occasions this season as frustration over his Angels tenure reaches a boiling point. Rendon has suffered multiple wrist injuries over the past 18 months and has had recurrent injuries to his groin as well, meaning he has played just over one full season's worth of games since ing the Angels four years ago.
Rendon's long-term contract
Rendon's contract still has three years left to run, and there are few signs -- if any -- that the one-time National League MVP finalist will return to form in 2024.
Rendon -- who began his career with the Washington Nationals and won a World Series with the franchise in 2019 -- is a sunk cost for an Angels organization that has tried to spend its way into championship contention but is on track to miss the MLB postseason for a ninth consecutive season.
In his 200 games as an Angel, California native Rendon has hit for a .249 average with 22 home runs and 111 RBI across 857 plate appearances. He's hit only .236 with just two home runs in 43 games during the 2023 season.