MLB Rumors: Yankees Slugger To Exercise Opt-Out Clause
The New York Yankees signed first baseman Anthony Rizzo last year to a two-year, $32 million contract, which contained salaries of $16 million per year and allowed him to decline a 2023 player option and return to free agency if he wanted to.
Well, it looks like Anthony Rizzo wants to, as he is reportedly planning to exercise his opt-out clause.
Rizzo only slashed .224/.338/.480 this season, but tacked on 32 home runs and 75 RBIs over 130 games. He added plenty of extra-base hits, six stolen bases, and even had an above-average walk rate with 10.6%.
Anthony Rizzo batted .294 in the ALDS with a .958 OPS, a home run, and 4 RBI’s!! pic.twitter.com/oTXxkBtoes
— YankeesMuse (@YankeesMuse) October 19, 2022
Rizzo clearly thinks he can secure himself a raise this offseason, even if it's just from a qualifying offer from the Yankees which would be at $19.65 million, a good amount above the $16 million he's scheduled to earn in 2023. If the Yankees don't extend the qualifying offer, then the slugger shouldn't have a problem finding a multi-year deal in free agency.
However, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, Rizzo has interest in returning to the Yankees on a long-term deal. The only question is if the Yankees are also interested in bringing the veteran back in a long-term extension.
If the Yankees can't come to terms with Rizzo this offseason, there are other options available to them via free agency, such as Josh Bell and Trey Mancini.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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