Anthony Rendon cites indifference to ‘Hollywood lifestyle’ in choosing Angels over Dodgers – Fox News
The Los Angeles Angels introduced their prized free-agent, signing Anthony Rendon on Saturday.
The Angels and Rendon agreed to a seven-year, $245 million deal last week. Rendon was targeted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency but said the “Hollywood lifestyle” of Los Angeles wasn’t a fit for him or his family. The Dodgers play miles outside West Hollywood while the Angels play in Orange County.
“I just think environment itself,” Rendon said, as ESPN reported. “I think when people think about California, they think about straight Hollywood, that Hollywood glamour, whole bunch of flashes, so much paparazzi. But everyone said it’s just the complete opposite here.”
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The Los Angeles Angels made Rendon one of their top priorities as they did with Gerrit Cole who eventually signed a massive deal with the New York Yankees. Angels owner Arte Moreno again spent a ton of money for a free agent hoping that this type of deal wouldn’t backfire on him and the team as the deals with Gary Matthews Jr., Vernon Wells and Josh Hamilton have done in the past.
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Los Angeles Angels team owner Arte Moreno, right, with general manager Billy Eppler, left, introducing the newest Angel, Anthony Rendon, center, with a jersey during a news conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday. Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245 million, seven-year contract earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
“Anthony was a player we targeted early,” Angels general manager Billy Eppler said. “Very rarely in free agency do you see significant impact, and this winter it appeared there was a number of players that could provide impact, but Anthony was somebody we highlighted. We’re still targeting pitching, but when the opportunity arose for us to do something with Anthony, it was a pretty easy sell for Arte because he does hold Anthony in very high regard.”
The 2019 World Series champion will get a $4 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and salaries of $25.5 million next season, $27.5 million in 2021, $36 million in 2022 and $38 million each year from 2023-26, The Associated Press reported.
The former Washington Nationals third baseman also would receive a $250,000 bonus for winning another World Series MVP, $150,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $125,000 for making an All-Star Game as a starter and $100,000 for selection as a reserve.
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Rendon had a career year last season. He finished third in National League MVP Award voting, hitting .319 with a 1.010 OPS, 34 home runs and league-leading 126 RBI.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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