Los Angeles Dodgers: Why signing Anthony Rendon won’t happen
By Jason Reed
2. It is hard to see the Los Angeles Dodgers paying Rendon what he wants
The other perfect situation for the Los Angeles Dodgers to get Anthony Rendon is the fact that Rendon has been open that he does not want to play into his mid to late 30s, and because of that, maybe looking for a shorter contract this winter that has a drastically higher average annual value.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
It makes sense, Rendon can get paid, not have to play late into his 30s and would not be a long-term investment that can backfire. This is the exact kind of contract that they reportedly offered to Bryce Harper, which would have shattered the AAV record.
How much would Rendon get is the question. Spotrac’s market value of Rendon puts him at six years and $194 million, which is good for an AAV of $32.4 million.
That would likely be reduced to four years and the AAV would have to be bumped up. A four-year, $160 million contract where Rendon is making $40 million a season seems like a fitting middle ground.
Now ask yourself this: do you see the Los Angeles Dodgers paying a 29-year-old Anthony Rendon $40 million a season? The answer has to be no. That is $9 million more per year than they gave Clayton Kershaw, who anchored down the franchise for nearly a decade.
The Dodgers would be much better off paying an elite starting pitcher instead of forcing a fit for $40 million.
Plus, who knows how long Rendon will play at an MVP-caliber level. He will almost undoubtedly be an all-star in at least two of those four years, but this very well could end up being his “career year” with his numbers creeping back down to normal.
Next. New options to close if not Kenley Jansen. dark
Even if he meets somewhere in between, I cannot see the Los Angeles Dodgers paying $40 million a year for someone who hits around .310 with 30 home runs and 110 RBIs.