Angels' Anthony Rendon resolution just threw big wrench in Pirates' free agent chase

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made significant additions to their lineup this winter, including two 2025 All-Stars, but it sounds like they're not done yet. According to multiple reports, the Pirates appear to still be firmly in the mix for Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto.

The last gaping hole remaining on the Pirates' roster is at third base, and Okamoto would fill that void admirably. He has a lengthy track record as one of NPB's premier power threats, he boasts excellent contact ability and plate discipline, and is a two-time Mitsui Golden Glove Award winner at third base. Since he's coming over to MLB ahead of his age-30 season, he's likely to sign at a price that falls within the Pirates' budget.

Okamoto's posting window closes on Jan. 4, meaning that he has less than a week left to reach a deal with an MLB club. One of the other teams pursuing Okamoto just cut a deal to free up some cash as his deadline nears.

After a lengthy negotiation period, and an even longer time paying him to not play baseball, the Los Angeles Angels have finally agreed to restructure the contract of third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is not expected to play again.

Rendon was slated to earn a team-high $38 million in 2026, and, according to Blum, that money will now be spread out over multiple future seasons, which will allow the Angels to "pursue a more high-profile free agent."

The Angels had been working toward a resolution for months, so an agreement coming to fruition between Rendon and the team isn't a surprise. While "high-profile free agents" like Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, and Cody Bellinger seem like good fits on paper, the Angels aren't expected to be in that market. They were one of the teams already connected to Okamoto, so securing that level of financial clarity in the days leading up to the expiration of his posting window is significant.

The conclusion of the Anthony Rendon saga puts the Angels in better position to outbid the Pirates for Kazuma Okamoto.

The Angels were already in the mix, and may have had a leg up as a West Coast team. But the team now has much more wiggle room in the 2026 budget than they were guaranteed to have before. The Pirates may have already faced an uphill battle in their hopes of landing the Japanese star.

The path just got tougher, and the team will need to get creative in search of another big bat if they get outbid for Okamoto.