MLB Rumors: Who Will Sign Anthony Rendon?

Anthony Rendon was the consummate Washington National this season. The team went from borderline obscurity in the playoff race to wild card winners and eventually World Series champions. So too did their third baseman go from a solid and respected player to a borderline MVP candidate.

His offensive surge this season combined with his typical excellent defense means that the now free agent will have his pick of new clubs. Just who will pony up the money to sign Rendon? Here are the top five candidates.

Washington Nationals

Number one is no surprise. According to The Washington Post, Rendon is fresh off of a World Series win with the Nationals so they have to get first billing, plus they already offered a seven-year contract extension to the player back in September. The 29-year-old free agent, obviously, did not sign the deal worth up to $215 million but that offer suggests serious interest.

While the Nats have previously lost big names to free agency, for example Bryce Harper last winter, they look determined to keep Rendon this offseason. A year ago, Washington had Juan Soto to replace Harper and this time around either Max Scherzer or Patrick Corbin could replace Stephen Strasburg.

However, they have no such backup plan for Rendon. They will certainly face competition but don’t be surprised if Rendon is back in the nation’s capital on opening day.

Chicago White Sox

The long-rebuilding White Sox may be ready to wake from their slumber to become serious post-season contenders. They have just under $40 million committed for next season, the lowest in Major League Baseball, so they have plenty of budget to make a big splash or three in the free agent market Fansided reported.

With Rendon looking for a big payday, this deal makes sense on paper for both sides. One stumbling block, however, could be Yoan Moncada. The infielder moved from second to third this season and looks like a star in the making.

Would Chicago allow Moncada to return to second to accommodate Rendon? That depends on where they feel they are in their rebuild and how big of an impact they think Moncada will make once he reaches his prime. Either way, the White Sox are candidates to win the Rendon sweepstakes.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Last year was a strange one for Arizona. They seemed content to rebuild in the offseason after dealing Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals and then Zach Greinke to the Houston Astros midseason. However, they were wild card contenders almost all the way until the end in spite of this.

That fact may lead them to feel they are close to a playoff team in 2020. They also only have $118.37 million in payroll for next season, so they too have the room to make a big signing in the free agent market should they find a good fit.

Eduardo Escobar did fill in at third admirably in 2019 but the Diamondbacks should be wary of what seems an exceptional season for the player. Rendon would be an upgrade at the hot corner and in the middle of the order for Arizona.

Los Angeles Angels

Arte Moreno is no stranger to big, bold free agent signings. In the past, the Halos owner has sanctioned huge contracts for Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and even Mike Trout when his contract got short. With Trout nearing the end of his prime, the LA Angels are in win-now mode.

Their main needs are on the pitching mound, both in the rotation and bullpen. However, coming off of a 72-90 season, GM Billy Eppler must be looking at the entire team to see where they can improve. Third base is one area of consideration if for no other reason than the quality available in the free agent market.

Rendon would cost a lot of money and demand a long contract but the Angels could be tempted into making a move, especially if they miss out on Gerrit Cole.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers got almost nothing from their infield in 2019 which makes that area an obvious candidate for improvement this winter. That is also not to mention that Anthony Rendon is a hometown kid, being born in Houston and having attended Rice.

The main problem here for Texas is that they have a number of needs to fill and only so much payroll to go around. That means that to make this deal work, Rendon may have to take a hometown discount.

With Josh Donaldson and Mike Moustakas also available this offseason, the Rangers may have to look beyond Rendon. That doesn’t mean they won’t make an effort, however, so expect at least some contact between the two parties.