Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo delivers perfect response to his future and perfect start with new team

July 31, 2021
anthony rizzo, yankees

It didn’t take long for New York Yankees acquisition Anthony Rizzo to leave his mark in just his first game with the Bombers. Against the Miami Marlins on Friday, Rizzo went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, single, and walk.

After spending his entire career with the Chicago Cubs, Rizzo has found himself in uncharted territory headed toward free agency this upcoming off-season. However, he will spend the remainder of the 2021 campaign wearing pinstripes, and given his positive health history, the Yankees desperately need his services.

Rizzo had nothing but glowing reviews of the franchise and its success throughout the course of history.

“I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this franchise and how it’s operated from the inside and out and I’m excited to dive in and learn and see everything that the Yankees franchise has to offer,” Rizzo said. “I know it’s amazing and I know the history here, and it speaks for itself.

When it comes to a future contract, Rizzo is only focused on the present, maximizing his opportunity with a Bombers this season and their hopes to reach the playoffs.

“But as far as contracts and whatnot, this is just about winning baseball games and getting on a role with our guys here and jelling and having fun and bringing out the best energy in everyone.”

General manager Brian Cashman stated that his moves were based on the present need and not their thoughts for the future. While Rizzo could be a priority signing and extension this upcoming off-season, they need him to perform now with the team in desperation mode. Sitting 7.5 games back in the AL East behind the Boston Red Sox and 3.5 games back in the Wild Card, it is now or never for the Yankees to spark a late run.

“We added Rizzo for this stretch drive,” Cashman said. “This is all about the 2021 effort. We haven’t really daydreamed into the future at all. The way this trade deadline was going with all the conversations … I don’t think anybody had time to look at much of the future on this stuff. Our intent was to try to increase our chances to give our team an improved opportunity to compete the rest of the way, and that’s really been the focus only.”

The thing about Rizzo is that he is incredibly loyal, and while he wanted to stay with Chicago his entire career, he ultimately will have to find a new home after this season. He’s coming off a seven-year, $41 million deal, with Chicago paying the entire $16.5 million salary for the 2021 season.
Based on his comments regarding the Yankees’ franchise, it is clear he has respect and appreciation for his new team. With his future uncertain, it is entirely possible the Bombers offer him an extension, but with so many big-name players on the books, they will have to find ways to unload a few deals, for example, Aaron Hicks and his seven-year, $70 million contract.

“I said it a lot how I want to stay in Chicago and be a Cub for the rest of my career,” Rizzo said. “Obviously that didn’t work out, but coming into this year you know that at the end of the year you’re a free agent. I’ve never had it before and there’s going to be opportunity to hopefully out there to shine and we’ll see what happens. But that’s so far away from right now and the day-to-day grind it’s going to take to get us back into winning in the playoffs and everything that takes to get there.”

Share: 
Mentioned in this article:

More about: