The New York Yankees have declined Anthony Rizzo’s $17M club option, making the veteran slugger a free agent this offseason. As a result, the team will pay the 1st baseman a $6M buyout fee.
In his media availability following New York’s World Series loss to the Dodgers, Rizzo told reporters “To wear this jersey is something special that I wish every baseball player gets to feel because it’s a different feeling wearing this jersey. And I loved every second of it.”
New York previously acquired Rizzo via trade with the Chicago Cubs in July of 2021. Rizzo slashed .234/.326/.409 with 60 home runs during his time in the Bronx. Across 337 at bats in 2024, the 35 year old hit 8 HRs, scored 38 runs and posted 35 RBIs for the Yankees.
While a return to the Yankees at a lower salary remains in play, it will be interesting to see what kind of a market for Rizzo’s services materializes this winter. There are genuine health questions surrounding the 3x All-Star as suitors will have to ask themselves what Rizzo still has in the tank after 14 Major League seasons. A respected locker room presence, the 4x Gold Glove winner is likely to sign a low salary deal and become a platoon bat rather than a regular at first base.
The Yankees picked up Luke Weaver’s $2M option on Friday, but sat precariously close to the Competitive Balance Tax which was $237M in 2024 and will rise to $241M in 2025. The move frees up some some cash for New York to be active on the free agent market. A market which includes 26 year old super star Juan Soto who spent 2024 in pinstripes himself.
While New York will be aggressive in trying to re-sign the smooth swinging outfielder, Soto told members of the press this week that he would listen to offers from “all 30 MLB clubs” during his free agency.
Photo: Arturo Pardavila III. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.