Anthony Rendon Makes Tone-Deaf Comments And Some Want Him Traded. Could The Angels Actually Do It?

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Rendon told a reporter how he views his professional baseball career as just another job, saying that it's not a "top priority" in his life.

READ: Well-Paid MLBer Anthony Rendon Says Baseball Isn't 'Top Priority'

While putting faith and family first is commendable, for someone set to make nearly $40 million this season after pulling in nearly $80 million over the past two seasons while playing just 90 combined games, it was a bit of a tone-deaf remark. To say the least. And it sparked some very strong reactions from former players, including a former teammate of Rendon's, Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon described Rendon as a "cancer to the team," while others said he should be traded after making his comments.

READ: Jonathan Papelbon Eviscerates Angels' Anthony Rendon: 'He's A Cancer To The Team'

But what would an Anthony Rendon trade actually look like? What could the Angels get back? And does it make sense in Anaheim?

Anthony Rendon of the Los Angeles Angels. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Would An Anthony Rendon Trade Even Be Possible?

The short answer is: sure, any trade is possible. 

The long answer is: it would be incredibly hard, the Angels wouldn't get much back, if anything, and they would have to eat a substantial amount of money. 

Rendon is making $38.6 million in 2024. And 2025. And 2026. Any team taking on his salary would be forced to pay $115.8 million for the next three seasons. For someone who's been worth 1.1 combined WAR over the past three seasons. A player with that level of production would be worth roughly $3 million to $4 million per year. Rendon is making $38.6.

While a fully healthy Rendon would be worth a lot more than $3 million to $4 million, teams can't expect that type of production until he proves he's capable of it again. That means any team making a trade with the Angels would demand they eat a huge portion of the remaining salary. To get anything back.

As crazy as it sounds though, that might still be the smartest strategy in Anaheim.

Major Reset Needed

The Angels are not close to contention. There are flashes of potential; Mickey Moniak, Jo Adell was a former top prospect, Mike Trout (if healthy), and Brandon Drury is a usable complimentary player. 

But the rotation is questionable to say the least, and the farm system recently ranked 29th according to The Athletic's prospect writer.

Trading Rendon, and even Trout, may lead to tens of millions in dead money. But if the Angels are able to pay enough to secure a decent prospect return, it may still be worth it. Instead, the Angels currently sit in the worst possible position; they're a mediocre team with little hope of a World Series, have an expensive roster, and no help coming from the minors.

It may not be easy, but it's the right thing to do. But since when have the Angels ever done the right thing?