Chicago Cubs: 3 landing spots for Anthony Rizzo
Even though Anthony Rizzo ended the 2021 season as a member of the New York Yankees, it is difficult to picture him in that uniform. That is because Rizzo spent nearly a decade with the Chicago Cubs, winning a World Series with the organization in 2016 as he became a star.
Despite his place in franchise history, Rizzo was sent to the Yankees at the trade deadline as the Cubs unloaded their core. As he entered free agency at the end of the year, and the Cubs were unable to agree to terms on an extension, a trade just made sense.
Three landing spots for former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo
Even with Freddie Freeman still being available, and Matt Olson potentially being on the trade block, Rizzo is going to have a robust market. He produced a solid .248/.344/.440 batting line in his 576 plate appearances, hitting 22 homers and 23 doubles. Even if he is the second or third option of teams looking for a first baseman, he will have plenty of offers once the lockout ends.
Where will former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo end up in free agency? Let’s take a look at three possible destinations.
New York Yankees
Anthony Rizzo was not quite what the New York Yankees had hoped for when they acquired him from the Chicago Cubs. But that does not mean a reunion will not happen.
Rizzo, for his part, enjoyed his time in New York. He spoke glowingly about being able to walk in Central Park with his dog and his experience in the city. In fact, the way he spoke made it seem inevitable that he returns to the Yankees when the lockout ends.
But that may not be as inevitable as it seemed. The Yankees are also rumored to make a strong run at Freddie Freeman once the lockout comes to an end. Freeman would make a greater impact upon the lineup and would actually show that the Yankees are committed to improving the roster.
At the same time, Freeman is going to be much more expensive, and for good reason. He is still in his prime and won the NL MVP in 2020. Rizzo, while solid, has not been an All Star since 2016. As the Yankees have been looking to save money in recent years, and have plenty of holes on the roster, Rizzo may be the more cost effective option.
The New York Yankees want a bat that can transform the lineup. Anthony Rizzo could be an option.
Chicago Cubs
It seemed unlikely that Anthony Rizzo would be an option for the Chicago Cubs after he was traded away. However, as time goes on, the situation has changed.
First base would not seem to be an issue for the Cubs. Frank Schwindel performed well once he took over the position after Rizzo was traded and deserves more of a look. As the Cubs also have plenty of holes on their roster, having someone making close to the league minimum that can provide a competent bat at first would be a bonus.
There is a path to both Schwindel and Rizzo getting playing time for the Cubs. The universal designated hitter is expected to be a part of the new CBA, which would let Chicago keep both bats in the lineup. This would also potentially allow the Cubs to let Rizzo focus on his hitting and rest a bit more often.
There is another reason for the Cubs to bring Rizzo back. They have stated that their intention is to reload, not rebuild. Their actions thus far in the offseason have mirrored that claim as they have worked to upgrade the rotation. Bringing Rizzo back would show that same commitment to the lineup.
The Chicago Cubs traded Anthony Rizzo away when they fell out of contention last year. He may be an option as they look to return to the postseason.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are still considered to be the favorites to land Freddie Freeman. However, that does not mean he will necessarily return to Atlanta, especially as he was beginning to get frustrated with the process.
Likewise, the Braves are looking around at other possible options. They have reportedly inquired about Matt Olson with the A’s. Meanwhile, they have also checked in on Anthony Rizzo, looking at him as a possible replacement.
While he is clearly not the same player, adding Rizzo could also make a difference when it comes to other areas of the team. The Braves do need to address their bullpen and could use another outfielder, especially if they decide to use Marcell Ozuna as their primary designated hitter once that comes to the National League.
Rizzo may also benefit from having name recognition. There is going to be backlash if the Braves do not bring Freeman back, but having a known entity in Rizzo may help lessen that sting. Of course, he would need to produce at a high level, but that should not be a problem given the rest of their lineup.
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The Atlanta Braves are still expected to bring Freddie Freeman back home. If that does not happen, their attention could turn to former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.