Veteran First Baseman Anthony Rizzo Grapples with Uncertain Future

New York, NY – As spring training kicks off, veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo finds himself in limbo as a free agent, despite his desire to continue his MLB career. The 35-year-old was unable to secure a contract after the New York Yankees declined his $17 million option for the 2025 season.

“I think I have a lot to give to the game still,” Rizzo said in a recent telephone interview. “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.”

Rizzo, a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, has experienced a significant decline in performance over the past two seasons, largely due to injuries. He played less than 100 games in each season, including 92 games in 2024, leading to concerns about his viability as a contributor. Last season, he posted a .228 batting average with eight home runs and a .637 OPS, the lowest since his rookie campaign in 2011.

“Two years ago, I had kind of a weird year with the concussion,” Rizzo explained. “Then last year, I was hurt twice. My power numbers dropped. I’m surprised, but not like crazy surprised just because I’m a realist in the game and you’re getting older.”

His injuries included a concussion from a collision at first base, a fractured right forearm, and broken knuckles from a hit by pitch. “The fact that teams want you to play for basically league minimum ($760,000), I’m like, you guys are crazy. You’re almost trying to ruin the market for the next guy,” Rizzo said.

Despite these setbacks, Rizzo managed to perform respectably in the playoffs last fall, batting .267 with a .721 OPS. He credited extensive treatments, including hyperbaric chamber sessions, for enabling his postseason performance.

“I’d be flushing it in the hyperbaric chamber, doing every treatment possible just to get that swelling out to be able to inject it again,” he shared. “Obviously, during the regular season, you’re not doing anything like that. But you do anything, World Series or playoff time, to play. It was worth it.”

His former teammates have expressed a deep appreciation for his leadership and character. Infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. reflected, “Rizz is such a great guy; sometimes you forget he plays baseball, that he was a World Series champion. He really helps everybody’s spirits.”

As he anticipates the upcoming season, Rizzo is also preparing for a major life change, as his wife Emily is expecting their first child in June. This new chapter adds complexity to his decision-making as he considers potential free-agent offers.

“If the money isn’t right, signing with a non-contender and potentially getting traded in July is particularly unappealing,” Rizzo admitted.

Rizzo is not alone in his situation; several veterans, such as Alex Verdugo and Mark Canha, remain without contracts as well. He opined that the current dynamics may be influenced by the impending expiration of the collective bargaining agreement after the 2026 season, which often leads to clubs tightening their budgets.

“You have one or two years of monster spending and then there are a couple of years of squeezing players, posturing for the upcoming CBA,” Rizzo said, recognizing a cyclical pattern across the league.

As spring training progresses, Rizzo remains hopeful about securing a position for the 2025 season. “I want to play. I want to win,” he affirmed. “Everything that goes into it, on the field, off the field, I’ll still be talking about it with guys. We’ll just see if I continue playing.”