The New York Yankees are doing their homework early in the offseason.
Several reporters announced on Tuesday afternoon that the Yanks and Anthony Rizzo reached an agreement for a two-year contract worth $34 million, plus an option for 2025 worth $17 million.
Rizzo is also getting a $6 million buyout if the Yankees don’t exercise that third-year option.
The average fan recognized the agreement as a solid deal for all parties involved.
Rizzo getting under the QO but a 2 year deal with a club option for a third. Very good deal for a guy who has been solid for the #Yankees https://t.co/YJquZrOYCN
— Take A Pitch (@TakeAPitch) November 15, 2022
That account is right: Rizzo has been very solid for the Yankees.
Last year, he slashed .224/.338/.480 with 32 home runs.
The batting average may not have been pretty, but everything else was, including the defense, the leadership skills, the charisma, and his desire to remain a Yankee.
That’s really all the Yanks need: a talented slugger who loves the uniform.
Fans Are Happy Rizzo Is Back
Rizzo can offer that.
Yankees fans are mostly happy to see Rizzo return: it was a necessary move for an offense that didn’t really produce in the second half and the postseason.
Rizzo back is a good start. Long way to go though @Yankees
— BlowItUpSZN (@RuFan130) November 15, 2022
In the last 24 hours, it was rumored that the Houston Astros were interested in signing Rizzo away from the Yankees.
Either it wasn’t true or the news resulted in a urge to get a deal done by the Yankees side.
So happy about this great news Anthony Rizzo staying put with the Yankees Astros were interested didn't had a chance
— A.J. Marshall (@AJMarshall3) November 15, 2022
In any case, Bombers fans are excited to see the first baseman return and probably didn’t have the stomach to see him sign in Houston.
Of course, fans of other squads used the Rizzo news to make jokes about the Yankees’ desperation with fellow free agent Aaron Judge and their arch rivals, the Astros.
After losing out on #Yankees 1B Anthony Rizzo, the #Astros have reportedly made OF Aaron Judge their number 1 target.
Things could get interesting in the upcoming weeks.
— Paul 🐠 (@SeaworldPaul) November 15, 2022
The Hot Stove season in MLB is just starting, and the Yankees are making their first major move.
It was a very good one, too.
NEXT: Anthony Rizzo Makes A Definitive 2023 Decision