New York Yankees free-agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo wants to keep playing but acknowledges that his career could be over if teams don’t show interest with viable offers.
“I’ve definitely thought about (my career being over). I think I still have a lot to give to the game,” Rizzo told The Athletic. “But at the same time, if teams aren’t willing to pay a few million for veterans, I’ve seen what happens. Older guys get squeezed out. It’s becoming more common. I’m not naive—it could be the end.”
Rizzo, 35, has spent the last three-plus seasons with the Yankees after a decade with the Chicago Cubs, where he was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and a key part of their 2016 World Series championship. He performed well in 2022 with New York but struggled in 2023 due to a concussion and multiple injuries.
“Two years ago, I had the concussion, which was a weird situation,” Rizzo said. “Then last year, I was hurt twice, and my power numbers dropped.”
Despite his strong career track record, Rizzo is surprised by the lack of interest but refuses to take a deal that could negatively impact future veteran players.
“I’m surprised, but not shocked—I’m realistic about the game and getting older,” he said. “But the fact that teams want you to play for basically the league minimum? That’s crazy. It feels like they’re trying to ruin the market for the next guy.”
In 2023, Rizzo played 92 games, hitting .228/.301/.335 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs. During his time with the Cubs, he was a consistent 25-plus home run hitter, slashing .272/.372/.489 across 1,308 games.
While Rizzo hopes to continue his career, he knows the decision is largely out of his hands. His wife, Emily, is also expecting a child on June 15, making him less inclined to sign with a non-contender that could trade him midseason.
“I’m going to keep training into the season and see what happens,” Rizzo said. “I want to play. I want to win. I love talking baseball with pitchers and hitters. There’s so much to dive into. Whether I keep playing or not, I’ll still be having those conversations.”
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