‘It’s a job’: Angels’ $245m Rendon says baseball never his top priority

Mike Trout discussed his future and Anthony Rendon talked about his priorities as the two Los Angeles Angels veterans made some interesting comments Monday with hitters reporting for spring training camp before the season starts next month.

The Angels signed Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract in December 2019 as he was en route to a World Series title with the Washington Nationals. Rendon, a two-time Silver Slugger winner in seven seasons with the Nationals, has not played more than 58 games in any of his four years with the Angels due to injuries.

Rendon spoke Monday about how his enthusiasm for the game has remained the same throughout his career, but he also noted that baseball has “never been a top priority for me.”

“This is a job,†Rendon told reporters. “I do this to make money. My faith and my family come first before this job.â€

Rendon noted that getting married and having four children changed his perspective. But he also emphasized that baseball remains a priority, even if it is not his top priority.

“Oh, it’s definitely a priority,” Rendon said. “Because it’s my job. I’m here, aren’t I?â€

Meanwhile, Trout, a three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star who has played in just one postseason series, said he has no interest in requesting a trade even as the Angels restructure following the move of two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trout, 32, has spent his entire 13-year career with the Angels, signing a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with them in 2019. Last year, the Angels went 73-89 for their eighth consecutive losing season. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2014, when they were defeated in the divisional round by the Kansas City Royals.

“I think the easiest way out is to ask for a trade,” Trout told reporters. ‘Maybe one day. I really haven’t thought about this. When I signed that contract, I’m loyal. I want to win a championship here. The overall picture of winning a championship or reaching the playoffs here is the greater satisfaction than making it or taking the easy way out. I think that’s been my mentality. Maybe later, when things change.â€

Trout said he has continued to push owner Arte Moreno and upper management for free agent additions that could boost the Angels following the departure of Ohtani, who signed a $10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.

“I’m going to keep going as long as I can,†Trout said. “Until the season starts or until those guys sign. It’s just in my nature.â€