When the New York Yankees extended first baseman Anthony Rizzo the one-year qualifying offer worth just under $20 million for 2023 and he rejected it, some Yankee fans started panicking and going through the options in free agency.
Hint: it was Jose Abreu, Josh Bell, and not much more: if they failed to lure those two, they were better off sliding DJ LeMahieu to first base.
But Rizzo rejected it because he wanted a longer deal.
As it turns out, he and his agent had already been working on one with the Yanks.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Yankees and Rizzo reached an agreement on a two-year, $34 million deal with a club option for $17 million in 2025.
If that option is not picked up, the Yanks should give Rizzo a $6 million buyout.
It’s a nice deal for player and team: Rizzo gets his long-term commitment, while the Yankees keep a quality first baseman for a couple of extra years.
There were rumors this week that the Houston Astros were reportedly interested in Rizzo, but the truth is the Yanks were always his first option.
Five Simple Words To Explain His Decision
The slugger explained his decision with five simple words.
“Anthony Rizzo, on the biggest reason he decided to return to the #Yankees: ‘I love being a Yankee,’” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
Anthony Rizzo, on the biggest reason he decided to return to the #Yankees: ‘I love being a Yankee’
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 16, 2022
No need to say more.
Since coming over from the Chicago Cubs in a deadline trade in 2021, Rizzo has adapted nicely to playing in New York.
Fans love him, and he loves them back.
He had a nice 2022 season, too, with a .224/.338/.480, 32 home runs, and 2.4 Wins Above Replacement.
That helps, of course, but Rizzo’s connection with Yankees fans goes beyond the numbers.
They will get to enjoy him for at least a couple of extra years.
NEXT: Former MLB Star Tells The Yankees What They Must Do Next