Opening Day for the 2025 MLB season is two weeks away. But that doesn’t mean the New York Yankees can’t still make a last-minute offseason addition.
Most pundits have the Yankees targeting a late-addition for their starting rotation because of the recent injuries the team has sustained. But on March 12, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer projected the Yankees to re-sign first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
“There’s been little action on the 35-year-old Rizzo throughout the offseason, yet he was adamant last month about wanting to continue his career,” Rymer wrote. “Though he hasn’t been the same player since suffering a concussion in 2023, the three-time All-Star may find a fit with a team in need of a left-handed bat at first base or DH.”
Rymer argued Rizzo could “help spell” Giancarlo Stanton for the Yankees.
New York acquired Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs at the 2021 MLB trade deadline. The first baseman has spent the last three and a half seasons in pinstripes.
Last season, Rizzo slashed .228/.301/.335 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and 38 runs in 92 games.
Over his 12-year MLB career, Rizzo has earned a little more than $135 million. The 35-year-old made three All-Star teams with the Cubs from 2014-16.
Could Yankees Re-Sign Anthony Rizzo?
New York signed Paul Goldschmidt at first base this offseason. So, there’s little need for the Yankees to bring back Rizzo to play first.
But the Yankees are set to begin the 2025 season without Stanton, who is dealing with injuries in both elbows. The veteran designated hitter doesn’t have a recovery timeline and surgery appears to be a possibility.
Therefore, for the foreseeable future, the Yankees may turn to backup catchers Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra as designated hitter options.
“Wells is the unquestioned starter, and given the injuries in camp, the Yankees might carry three catchers to begin the season,” wrote MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “Escarra and Rice have both shown live bats in Spring Training, making them candidates to take turns in the DH role.”
But Rice has appeared in just 50 MLB games in his career, all of which came last season. Escarra has yet to debut in the big leagues.
Bringing back Rizzo would give the Yankees a much more experienced left-handed bat.
In three and a half seasons with New York, Rizzo hit .234 with a .735 OPS. Rizzo has posted 60 home runs, 172 RBI and 192 runs in 370 games as well.
The veteran first baseman has 14 years of MLB experience. Rizzo is a career .261 hitter with a .828 OPS.
New York could test its young catchers in the DH role to begin the season. If they aren’t quite ready for the role every day, the Yankees could find comfort in bringing back a familiar veteran in Rizzo.
