For the first time since his departure in 2019, Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is set to meet his former team in the Washington Nationals. The Angels and Nationals are set to open up a three-game series beginning on Friday.
When asked ahead of Friday’s matchup on whether this encounter with Washington will be an emotional one for him, Rendon provided a straightforward answer on this matter.
“No,” Rendon said. “Maybe if it was back in D.C. with the fans. But not here.”
After seven seasons in Washington, Rendon opted to sign a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Angels in 2019. The agreement between the two sides included no opt-outs and a no-trade clause as well.
The Nationals reportedly made a push to keep Rendon in Washington before the start of the free agency period in 2019. Nationals team officials placed a seven-year deal on the table for the one-time All-Star that was worth between $210 million and $215 million. The veteran infielder had received this offer in September but turned it down due to the notable amount of deferred money that was included in the proposal.
Rendon has had a roller-coaster run with the Angels so far. He shined for the team during the 2020 shortened season, where he posted a career-high in OBP (.418) and finished at 10th in the final vote for the 2020 American League MVP honor. A hip injury went on to mar his 2021 campaign, and so far this season, he has recorded a .222 batting average and 12 RBI in 23 games played.
Rendon and the Angels will look to build on momentum against the Nationals after taking two out of three games over the Boston Red Sox on the road.
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