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

Is Anthony Rendon tired of playing pro baseball or has playing in Anaheim finally caught up with him? He delivered a poor choice of words during Monday's spring training session, kick-starting the new year of L.A. Angels baseball.

Rendon, a player who signed with the club for a whopping $245 million in 2019, admitted to the media that he doesn't view baseball as a ‘top priority.’ 

READ: Anthony Rendon, Who Rarely Plays Anyway, Wants Shorter Baseball Seasons

While the context lends to some benefit of the doubt — Rendon ‘prioritizes’ faith and family over sport — the 33-year-old's history of missing games begged more questions than answers around his longevity in baseball moving forward.

"It's never been a top priority for me," Rendon shared on Monday. 

WATCH:

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 09:  Anthony Rendon #6 of the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 09, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last season, Rendon played in only 43 games for the Angels, hitting .236/.361/.318 in his limited time, adding two HRs and 22 RBI. He started the year on a rocky note in 2023 after angrily engaging a heckler during a visit to Oakland.

Like most of us, Rendon doesn't particularly ‘worship’ his job. Though, as a millionaire athlete, how hard could it really be to show up for work?

"This is a job. I do this to make a living," Rendon added. "My faith and my family come first before this job. So if those things come before it, I'm leaving."

Anthony Rendon Didn't Stop There

Later on, Rendon pulled the laziest excuse in sports to justify his waning love for the game, saying his presence at training camp for the dejected Angels, alone, is a sign of commitment. 

Rendon's history of polemic comments already tested baseball as a slipping objective for the former All-Star and World Series champ. Out of 546 possible games for the Angels since signing his star contract, Rendon has appeared in just 200 contests.

Under new leadership from skipper Ron Washington, Rendon's going to pick between being all in or out on the squad.

"Oh, [baseball] is a priority for sure, because it's my job," Rendon added. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Despite the Angels' woes, MLB superstar and Anthony Rendon's teammate Mike Trout noted on Monday that he's planning on sticking with the organization instead of jumping ship. 

All of last season, MLB trade suitors interested in star-level talent eyed Trout and former Angel Shohei Ohtani as targets with the Angels struggling to tread water in the AL West. Without many incentives to cite, Trout is sticking with Anaheim for the love of the game — an intangible that Rendon could certainly use.

The Angels finished the season 73-89 last year. 

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