After the Yankees\’ star slugger, Aaron Judge, declined the team\’s offer of 234.5 million USD earlier this year, baseman Anthony Rizzo decided to follow in his footsteps and entered free agency a few days ago. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has previously made it clear that the Yankees are trying to get both players. However, seems like it is not going to be easy. Because the reports suggest that world champions Houston Astros are also interested in Anthony Rizzo.
Astros Are Targetting Anthony Rizzo!
New York Yankees have some big questions to answer about their roaster as two of their most important players, Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo, have become free agents. The Yankees\’ management in the past already made it clear that Aaron Judge is their top priority. At the same time, there are also hoping to get Rizzo, as he performed really in the bygone season of the team. However, getting both players back will not be a cakewalk. Rizzo might have found a potential suitor in Houston Astros.
According to a recent article by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Rizzo is the Astros\’ top free-agent target at first base. This summer, Yuli Gurriel, the first baseman for Houston, will also become a free agent. Rosenthal said that the Astros are also thinking about re-signing Yuli Gurriel, who has been a member of the team since 2016. And veteran first baseman José Abreu of the White Sox. First base is a significant exception to the defending World Series champions\’ roster\’s lack of many gaps going into the summer.
Rizzo would provide Houston with an outstanding defensive thanks to his abilities as a lefthanded baseman. They would have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to strengthen their roster and make the Yankees\’ roster weaker by adding Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo had a career-high 32 home runs by the season\’s finale. Then, this month, he made use of his right to withdraw, going on the open market this winter. The second year of his two-year, $32 million contract with the Yankees saw him earn a salary of $16 million. Last week, the Yankees extended qualifying offers to both Anthony Rizzo and right fielder Aaron Judge. If Rizzo agrees, he will earn $19.65 million in salary for the upcoming season. This one-year contract will delay his free agency search until the following winter.
The qualifying offer may pay Anthony Rizzo more in 2023 than a long-term contract would. It wouldn\’t be shocking if the 33-year-old sought out a deal with additional security, though. Although Rizzo is eligible for a multi-year contract from the Astros, it\’s unclear how much money the team is ready to commit. They\’ll need to convince him it\’s worthwhile to leave New York. Given how quickly he seemed to fit in with the Yankees.
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