Anthony Rizzo, a free agent for the New York Yankees, is aware that retirement could be a possibility this spring.
After the Yankees declined his $17 million club option at the end of last season, the veteran first baseman received a $6 million buyout. However, this decision left him without a team for the upcoming season.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Brendan Kuty on Friday, Rizzo discussed the uncertainty of not being signed as spring training begins. When asked about retirement, the 35-year-old expressed that he still believes he has more to offer the game, but he acknowledged the reality that he might not get the opportunity he’s hoping for. “I’ve definitely thought about it,” Rizzo said regarding retirement. “I think I have a lot to give to the game still. But at the same time, if teams are not going to want to pay a few million dollars for veterans, I’ve seen it the last 10 years of my career. It’s what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed. You’ve seen it happen more and more. I’m not naive to it. It could be it.”
Rizzo has faced injury challenges over the last two seasons, playing in fewer than 100 games each year. These injuries have also impacted his performance at the plate. Last season, he posted career-low stats, including a .228 batting average, 8 home runs, 35 RBIs, and a .673 OPS. This marks a significant drop from his prime years with the Chicago Cubs, when he was a consistent NL MVP contender. In his place, the Yankees signed a former NL MVP.
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