Former Red Sox Defends ‘Misunderstood’ Anthony Rendon Amid Buyout Report

A former Boston Red Sox player thinks Anthony Rendon has gotten an unfair reputation during a career downfall.

The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly in talks with Rendon to buy out the final season of his seven-year, $245 million contract, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. The All-Star third baseman, who has played 205 combined games in the last five years after missing all of 2025, plans to retire.

Rendon’s contract will go down in infamy, and critics have questioned his commitment to baseball after he said in 2024 that baseball “has never been a top priority” above family and is “a job.” Kevin Pillar, who retired earlier this year, defended his former Angels teammate on Wednesday’s “Foul Territory.”

“Anthony Rendon is one of the most misunderstood players, maybe of all time,” Pillar claimed. “He’s very outspoken in his beliefs, but he’s not saying anything that some other players aren’t saying.”

The ex-Red Sox outfielder said the business side of baseball can wear down players treated as commodities who can be traded or released at any moment. Pillar pointed out that many people aren’t always thrilled to go to work every day.

“People forget that baseball, to a lot of us — yes, we do love it and we’re passionate about it. But at the end of the day, it is a job,” Pillar explained. “The joy for a lot of people, when you get to the major leagues, some of it is taken away from you. I felt it towards the end of my career.”

Pillar also noted that Rendon “worked extremely hard” to get drafted in the first round in 2008 and reach the majors. The two-time Silver Slugger finished third in the 2019 National League MVP voting before leading the Washington Nationals to a World Series.

Ultimately, Pillar believes parting ways is best for all parties.

“It’s very unfortunate that his time with the Angels was not good. To put it bluntly, it’s going to go down as one of the worst contracts of all time,” Pillar said. “… Both sides are thankful for this to happen. The Angels are thankful to finally move on from Anthony Rendon, hopefully get a little payroll flexibility. And Anthony Rendon is just very thankful that the Angels are willing to do this. Where he no longer has to show up to a place where he doesn’t want to be anymore.”