Angels Hoping Ron Washington Can Help Turn Around Anthony Rendon, Says Insider

They will take anything they can get at this point.

The Los Angeles Angels ended their managerial search recently and decided to go with long-time veteran Ron Washington to lead the team. He is well-respected around the league and should help bring some stability to the organization.

MLB insider Jon Heyman spoke about the hiring of Washington on MLB Network, and he noted that the team hopes that the veteran manager can help third baseman Anthony Rendon figure things out.

“Part of the reason they hired Ron Washington, they figured that he might be able to help Rendon out a bit.”

Per Jon Heyman via MLB Network

It seems that the team is moving forward with Rendon as their third baseman, and rightfully so with the contract he has still on the books. The Angels likely don’t want to eat the dead money that it would take to get rid of him, and maybe this year he will be able to stay healthy.

Jon Heyman talking #Angels on MLB Network today:

“They are talking to some other 3B, but not full-time star players like Chapman.”

He also noted, “part of the reason they hired Ron Washington, they figured that he might be able to help Rendon out a bit.”

— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) November 9, 2023

He still has three years left on his contract, and the team will be paying him $38 million each season. The Angels can’t afford to just cut him loose with that kind of money on the table, so they may as well give him a chance to prove that he can get through an entire season.

Washington is known for his work with infielders, so there is some hope that he can help Rendon out. It hasn’t been pretty for the veteran infielder since he joined the organization, and injuries have taken over everything for him.

He hasn’t been able to play in more than 58 games in a season since he joined the Halos, despite being one of the more consistent players prior to that. Rendon was seen as the missing piece for this team, but the signing has backfired completely.

While it remains unlikely based on his recent history, the team is hopeful that Rendon can be a productive member of the team this coming season. They are banking on his contributions once again, and if he can produce, maybe the Angels can have a decent season, plus, at this point, they will take what they can get from him.