The New York Yankees have made a major move.
The club re-signed first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Tuesday. Rizzo became a free agent after he opted out of his previous contract. He was set to be one of the most-pursued free agents as several teams made sense for him. The Houston Astros were even reportedly in on him as their top target. But in the end, the Yankees refused to let him go elsewhere.
Ken Rosenthal first reported the news of Rizzo’s re-signing. He wrote in a tweet, “Anthony Rizzo is re-signing with the Yankees on a multi-year deal.”
Anthony Rizzo is re-signing with the Yankees on a multi-year deal, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 15, 2022
YES Network studio analyst and longtime Yankees insider Jack Curry later reported the terms of the deal. He wrote in a tweet, “The Rizzo deal is for 2 years, $34M with a club option for $17M for a third year. The buyout in the third year is for $6M.”
The Rizzo deal is for 2 years, $34M with a club option for $17M for a third year. The buyout in the third year is for $6M.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) November 15, 2022
Rizzo joined the Yankees at the 2021 MLB trade deadline. And after he spent a full season with the club in 2022, he decided to stay around longer. The Chicago Cubs dealt Rizzo last summer after he spent nearly 10 seasons with them. He famously won a World Series in 2016 over the Cleveland Guardians, another team who would have made sense for him.
The MLB world was quick to react to the latest signing by the Yankees.
With the Astros showing interest in Rizzo, it was vital for the Yankees to retain him. He’s superb defensively, he provides smart and productive at bats and he’s a leader. Also, he’s very close with Judge so that’s another potential positive with this signing.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) November 15, 2022
GOD BLESS https://t.co/eEMVlFAXtf
— Jack Crosby (@JCrosbyCBS) November 15, 2022
Oh well. Abreu is even better, if they can make it happen https://t.co/6zpYR8f5RE
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 15, 2022
Patiently waiting for this team to go from good to great. Couple moves can be made let’s see if they make them. https://t.co/Cs0qlbQ32j
— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) November 15, 2022
He’s tight with Judge too https://t.co/iFqckFuLk8
— Shaun Morash (@ShaunMorash) November 15, 2022