Anthony Rizzo Stays with Yankees for 2 Years, $40M Guaranteed
As expected, Anthony Rizzo is staying in New York on a two-year deal that guarantees him $40 million. That $20 million AAV is impressive because it exceeds the value of his qualifying offer, which the Yankees probably needed to do after reports that the Astros were prioritizing Rizzo as their top target at first base. Rizzo will earn a $17 million base next season and $14 million in 2024, then there’s a $17 million club option for 2025 that has a $6 million buyout.
The Rizzo deal is for 2 years, $34M with a club option for $17M for a third year. The buyout in the third year is for $6M.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) November 15, 2022
The former Cub will earn at least $56 million in three total years with the Yankees and can potentially get $67 million over four years. Add in the postseason bonuses and playing for a more competitive team in at least two seasons and Rizzo will make out better financially than with the reported five-year, $70 million extension he turned down during spring training last year.
Rizzo was never coming back to the Cubs, so this doesn’t directly impact their offseason strategy. It may, however, turn up the urgency when it comes to their courtship of José Abreu. The former White Sox star May have just shot to the top of Houston’s wish list and the World Series champs are likely willing to spend big to bring him in.