Anthony Rizzo is officially returning to the New York Yankees on a multi-year deal worth $40 million in guaranteed money, keeping the veteran first baseman in pinstripes following a turbulent free-agent window, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Fantasy Outlook: Expect 32-homer upside at Yankee Stadium, though drafters must bake in potential IL risk following his 2022 back issues.
- Payroll and Luxury Tax: The deal carries a $34 million payout across the next two seasons alongside a 2025 club option with a $6 million buyout, impacting Brian Cashman’s ongoing roster construction.
The Contract Breakdown and Free Agency Path
The agreement guarantees Rizzo $34 million across the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. The pact also features a 2025 club option valued at $17 million with a $6 million buyout, pushing the total guaranteed commitment to $40 million according to Pinstripes Nation. The deal materialized shortly after Rizzo rejected the Yankees’ qualifying offer. Having initially arrived in the Bronx via a trade from the Chicago Cubs at the 2021 deadline, Rizzo signed a two-year, $32 million contract prior to the 2022 season that included an opt-out clause.
Anthony Rizzo is re-signing with the Yankees on a multi-year deal, source tells @TheAthletic.
By exercising that opt-out after a productive single season, Rizzo forced the front office to commit to a longer-term structure. General manager Brian Cashman publicly stated during the recent general managers’ meetings that retaining the veteran slugger stood as a top priority alongside the pursuit of star outfielder Aaron Judge.
Production and Injury Management in 2022
Despite missing valuable stretch-run time due to physical ailments, Rizzo’s left-handed bat proved indispensable to the Yankees’ offensive architecture. Across 130 regular-season appearances, he posted a .224 batting average while launching 32 home runs—hitting the 30-homer threshold for the fourth time in his major league career—alongside 75 RBIs.
Durability questions surfaced late in the summer when back and head discomfort sidelined the 33-year-old infielder from August 31 through September 18, a result of complications stemming from an epidural injection administered to treat chronic back issues. When healthy, however, Rizzo carried the Yankees’ left-handed power profile. His 32 home runs accounted for 40% of the entire team’s production from left-handed batters, while his 75 RBIs made up 37% of the 202 total runs driven in by New York’s lefty contingent.
| Metric | 2022 Season Data |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 130 |
| Batting Average | .224 |
| Home Runs | 32 |
| Runs Batted In | 75 |
Future Outlook for the Infield
With Rizzo’s return finalized, the Yankees maintain a steady defensive anchor at first base while preserving one of the most productive left-handed bats in their lineup. Attention now shifts entirely toward the remaining high-stakes decisions facing the front office, most notably the pursuit of Aaron Judge and the reshaping of the surrounding supporting cast ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting in February.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
