Angels News: Insider Predicts Anthony Rendon Wins Comeback Player of the Year Award

That contract will be worth it!

When the Los Angeles Angels signed Anthony Rendon following his World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019, he was expected to play a big role on their squad as their third baseman. However, their plans for him haven't exactly been fulfilled yet.

LA's front office saw Rendon's slash line of .319/.412/.598 prior to the free agency period and were blown away. They inked a 7-year contract with him worth $245 million and expected him to help propel the squad on multiple playoff runs. Unfortunately, he had to undergo season-ending injuries in both 2021 and 2022 and the 32-year-old has yet to make his presence felt with the Halos.

Rendon has been open about how those injuries affected him mentally and that his biggest goal heading into this year is to simply be available for this team. The Athletic's Jim Bowden believes that this is all he needs to produce at a high level again and even chose him as his favorite to win the Comeback Player of the Year award.

"Rendon won the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2016, and Angels manager Phil Nevin told me during the Winter Meetings that he thinks Rendon, whom he plans to bat in the cleanup hole, can do it again. If he does, it would go a long way toward helping the Angels return to the postseason for the first time since 2014."

(The Athletic)

Not just Bowden and the Angels' coaching staff have faith in Bowden but so does the entire fanbase. He still has multiple years on his contract with them and they want to see him bring forth that leadership he displayed in his World Series run.

Bowden's Cactus League showcases definitely prove that he is on the right track back to stardom. Stepping up to the plate a total of 36 times, he posted 17 hits with a slash line of .500/.564/.794. Angels fans should be very excited to see his return.