THE $245 MILLION LESSON: Why Dodgers’ Shrewd Investments Silence Angels’ Contract Gaffes.vc
The news that the Los Angeles Angels are in advanced talks to buy out the final, $38.5 million year of Anthony Rendon’s seven-year, $245 million contract—with the expectation that he will retire—is more than just an expensive end to a bizarre saga. It is a stunning, real-time illustration of the fundamental difference between the Dodgers’ model of strategic investment and the Angels’ repeated history of reckless spending.
The core argument against the Dodgers—that their massive payroll diminishes their accomplishments—is indeed a tired take that crumbles under scrutiny. As the Angels prove, having money is meaningless if you don’t spend it wisely; the Dodgers’ consistency is rooted in their acumen, not merely their volume of spending.
The Angels’ Albatross: $245 Million For a Ghost
The Rendon deal will forever be enshrined as one of the worst free-agent contracts of all time.
• Participation Rate: Rendon appeared in just 257 out of a possible 810 games over the past five seasons (around 31.7%) due to a myriad of injuries and a public admission that baseball was “never a top priority.”
• The Final Tally: The Rendon Theft Tracker website, created by Twitter user @VinRBI, hilariously and painfully quantifies the cost, showing the Angels have shelled out approximately:
• $9.3 million per Home Run (22 total)
• $795,000 per Game Played (257 total)
This financial anchor did more than just cost money; it crushed the Angels’ flexibility, contributed to the inability to build a competent supporting cast for Mike Trout, and ultimately served as a clear warning sign that helped push Shohei Ohtani directly into the Dodgers’ welcoming, and well-managed, arms.
The Dodgers’ Low-Risk Strategy: “Talent and Makeup”
While no team is immune to errors, the Dodgers’ high-dollar mistakes are few and far between and rarely impact their long-term flexibility. Their current strategy for mega-deals focuses on players with a perfect combination of talent, elite makeup, and proven health:
