Despite sweeping the Dodgers, the Angels remain in last place, raising questions about their consistency. The Angels' recent victory mirrors the Minnesota Twins' exceptional 13-game winning streak, suggesting potential for a turnaround. However, a look back shows the Athletics, often in a state of rebuilding, have managed to outpace the Angels with more postseason appearances in the last two decades. The Angels' focus on veteran players like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon has not yielded the desired results, leading to a bleak outlook as they struggle to attract top prospects.

Concerns over the Angels' aging roster and lack of homegrown talent highlight a stark contrast with the A's, who have successfully integrated young players. The Angels' strategy may need reevaluation as they continue to pay top dollar for injured players instead of investing in promising talent. With playoff chances dwindling, the team faces a critical juncture as they seek to rebuild while remaining competitive.

In 2025, Anthony Rendon still commands the highest salary among MLB third basemen at $38.6 million, despite a challenging tenure with the Los Angeles Angels. Plagued by injuries, he has played only 257 games since 2021. Following him are Nolan Arenado with $29.5 million and Alex Bregman at $25.9 million. The list includes notable names such as Matt Chapman and Austin Riley, reflecting the diverse talents in this position. While Rendon’s high contract hasn't justified his on-field contributions, he remains atop the salary rankings.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada is recovering from soreness, causing him to lag behind other position players in spring training. Moncada aims to revitalize his career after a disappointing 2024 season, where he played just 12 games due to injury with the Chicago White Sox. With Anthony Rendon sidelined for the entire 2025 season, Moncada is expected to fill the void at third base, providing a more reliable presence for the Angels. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal emphasizes the significant opportunity for Moncada in Anaheim, noting the team's inability to rely on Rendon’s health. By the end of the 2025 season, Rendon will have participated in less than 30 percent of games for the Angels. Moncada's performance in 2019, where he posted a .315 batting average and hit 25 home runs, gives hope for a comeback.

Angels manager Ron Washington expressed optimism about the team's potential for success in 2025, but he also highlighted the importance of evaluating the roster during spring training. With new veteran additions to the team, Washington is focused on assessing whether they have the right mix to contend. The Angels are looking to escape the bottom of the American League standings, and Moncada’s role will be pivotal in achieving this goal. As he works to overcome injuries and demonstrate his capabilities, Moncada has a crucial chance to establish himself as a dependable everyday player for the Angels.

The Los Angeles Angels find themselves in a tight spot with Anthony Rendon's substantial contract, which has become a burden after six challenging seasons. With recent hip surgery sidelining him for likely the entire 2025 season, Rendon's reliability has been further called into question. Since signing his seven-year, $245 million contract in 2020, his performance has sharply declined, hitting only .242 with a .717 OPS for the Angels compared to his impressive .290 average and .859 OPS during his time with the Washington Nationals.

Moreover, the Angels' management, led by owner Arte Moreno, neglected to secure injury insurance on Rendon, a decision pointed out by Ken Rosenthal as a major oversight given the size of his contract. Had they invested in insurance, they could have potentially saved around $50 million during his recovery. Looking ahead, the Angels have brought in Yoán Moncada to cover third base, further indicating their waning faith in Rendon's ability to contribute.