Image credit: ClutchPoints

Yankees make big Anthony Rizzo contract move

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Joshua Valdez | Last updated Nov 2, 2024 12:08 PM ET

The New York Yankees won the pennant in 2024, but they’ll still have a new-look squad next year. The first domino to fall is 35-year-old first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

The New York Yankees moved on from Rizzo on Saturday, via ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.

“The Yankees have announced they’ve declined Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million club option for 2025,” Castillo reported. “They’ll pay him a $6 million buyout.”

Rizzo is now a free agent, via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

The former Chicago Cub slashed .228/.301/.335 with eight homers and 35 RBI across 92 regular season games and .267/.421/.300 with no homers or RBI across 10 preseason games. He missed the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals due to breaking two fingers, but he played through the injury in the ALCS and World Series.

Rizzo spent three-and-a-half years in New York after the team acquired him from the Cubs at the 2021 trade deadline for outfielder Kevin Alcantara and right-handed pitcher Alexander Vizcaino. Alcantara is still 22 years old and played three MLB games for Chicago this season while hitting .278 with 14 homers and 61 RBI in 111 minor league games. Vizcaino, though, has not pitched since ’21 due to arm issues.

The oft-injured Rizzo never played a full season with the Yankees, but was a productive power hitter in the Bronx. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder hit 60 homers with 172 RBI and a .409 slugging percentage over 370 regular season games.

Who will replace Rizzo in New York?

First base is a priority for Yankees after Anthony Rizzo’s departure

Jul 14, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (93) hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports

While retaining superstar outfielder Juan Soto is the most important item on New York’s offseason to-do list, replacing Rizzo with a credible option at first base isn’t far behind. The most cost-effective move would be to promote 25-year-old prospect Ben Rice, who hit .171 with seven homers and 23 RBI with a .613 OPS in 152 MLB at-bats this past season. The 2021 12th-round pick will make just $800,000 on his pre-arbitration deal next season.

However, the Yankees would be best served having a more established option as well. Christian Walker, Mark Canha, Josh Bell, and Rowdy Tellez are all decent mid-tier options, assuming they spend most of their cash on Soto. If they don’t retain him, that opens the door to chasing a superstar like Pete Alonso or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: