ESPN: The replacement of Anthony Rizzo for the Yankees is expected to sign a $60 million contract.
The 2025 club option for Anthony Rizzo was turned down by the New York Yankees. Rizzo will be bought out for $6 million and go to the free agency market rather than being paid $17 million for the former slugger.
Over the past year and a half, Rizzo, who was once among the best players in Major League Baseball, has significantly declined. Over the previous two seasons, Rizzo hit 20 home runs in 710 at-bats, slashed.237/.315/.358 with an 88 OPS+.
Christian Walker’s name has kept coming up as the Yankees search for a possible first base answer. One of MLB Trade Rumors’ predictions for the top 50 MLB free agents was that Walker would sign with the Yankees.
Additionally, they forecasted his three-season contract, which came to $60 million.
Walker’s age appears to be the only factor limiting him to a three-year contract. He turned 34 during spring training the following year, and he played this past season at the age of 33. Given his significantly better defense, Walker would probably be ranked higher on this list if he were a few years younger, MLB Trade Rumors noted on November 4. Although they are uncommon, three-year contracts for first base/DH types at this age typically come within the same range. A disastrous $58.5MM guarantee was given to Jose Abreu starting with his age-36 season.
Both Carlos Santana and Edwin Encarnacion received three-year contracts worth $60 million; Santana began in his age-32 season, while Encarnacion began in his age-34 season. With a three-year guarantee at about $20MM, give or take a million or two, Walker ought to do the same. Depending on where Alonso signs, the Astros, Mariners, Yankees, D-backs, Giants, and Nats might be involved, as well as the Mets.
The situation at Yankees First Base is a “area of concern.”
The front office should make plans to produce the finest squad possible in the upcoming season, especially since the New York Yankees lost the 2024 World Series.
The Yankees will improve at first base, which has been a problem for the most of the last 24 months, if that is the plan.
Their top priority is definitely re-signing Juan Soto, but Chris Kirschner of The Athletic pointed out that it’s also critical to start by getting better.
“First base is a problem for the Yankees as a whole.Kirschner noted on November 4 that the position had 619 OPS, ranking bottom in the league. It would be a mistake to keep Anthony Rizzo as the starting first baseman, and Ben Rice also failed to show enough to be considered for the position. The Yankees need to trade or use free agency to enhance at first base.
