Anthony Rizzo is going to test the open market.
On Monday, ESPN reported the 33-year-old first baseman was opting out of his contract. Rizzo had until five days after the World Series to make up his mind.
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MLB Network’s Jon Morosi names a couple of potential landing spots for the Rizzo:
“Having now the universal DH across Major League Baseball will give National League teams some flexibility. Even if they already have a first baseman in place, to maybe move that first baseman to a DH role and have Anthony come in as a first baseman. I’ve always wondered about the possibility of Anthony going to his native south-Florida and playing for them Marlins … I think Anthony would be a tremendous fit for the Giantsthe team we’re going to see be really aggressive with free agency overall Aaron Judge, too. But Rizzo out there to the West Coast, I would love that fit.”
On Tuesday, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported the “Yankees are expected to give Anthony Rizzo the $19.65M qualifying offer. Of course. Terrific two-way player.”
By making the qualifying offer, the Yankees ensure themselves draft-pick compensation should Rizzo sign elsewhere.
Rizzo signed a two-year, $32 million contract before the 2022 season, then went out and tied his career high by hitting 32 home runs.
Expect the Yankees to make a push to re-sign Rizzo, who the club acquired from the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2021 MLB trade deadline. The slugger was noncommittal about his future following the Yankees’ season-ending 6-5 ALCS Game 4 loss to the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.
“At this point, I’ll sit down my wife and I’ll sit down by agents and we’ll talk about all that. I’ve told (Yankees management) since signing the deal we’re not going to talk about it until after the season. Now in the next few weeks, it’s time to talk about it.”
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One concern for the Yankees will be Rizzo’s balky back. He played 130 of the Yankees’ 162 regular-season games and started all nine postseason games but was shut down three times this season due to back issues.
However Rizzo, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner and three-time All-Star, is said to be close to Aaron Judge, and the first baseman’s return to the Bronx could go a long way towards re-signing the slugging MVP candidate.
MORE MLB:
– Carlos Carrasco awaits Mets’ decision on club option
– Yankees have 3 prospects at Double-A Somerset named Eastern League All-Stars
– Mets linked to free-agent All-Star shortstop
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Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected].