On Tuesday night, it was revealed by several reporters that the New York Yankees had agreed to a two-year deal with first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
The team made it official on Thursday morning: they now have their starting first baseman.
“The New York Yankees today announced that they have re-signed INF Anthony Rizzo to a two-year Major League contact extending through the 2023 season with a player opt-out following the 2022 season,” the Yankees tweeted.
The New York Yankees today announced that they have re-signed INF Anthony Rizzo to a two-year Major League contact extending through the 2023 season with a player opt-out following the 2022 season.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 17, 2022
Essentially, it’s a one-year deal and the player will get to choose if it will be a two-year commitment or if he will hit free agency again after the 2022 campaign.
It will all depend on his performance, basically.
Rizzo Has Been A Solid, If Unspectacular Contributor For The Yankees
The Yankees acquired Rizzo near the trade deadline last season, and while he wasn’t quite at his best offensively (.249/.340/.428 with eight homers and a .768 in 200 plate appearances) he offered leadership, a positive clubhouse and dugout presence, and a very solid glove.
In the season as a whole, between the Chicago Cubs and the Yankees, Rizzo hit .248/.344/.440 with 22 round-trippers, 73 runs, and 61 RBI.
It is quite possible that he, at 32 years old, has entered his decline phase, which is inevitable for everybody.
That doesn’t mean, however, that he can’t be a successful major leaguer for a few more years,
He will need to get up to date with his physique and timing at the plate.
During his first at-bat on a game at the Yankees’ training camp, he struck out against Jordan Montgomery on three pitches.
He still has, quite clearly, some work to do, but he should be a solid addition for the Yanks.
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