Anthony Rizzo hasn't spent his entire career with the Chicago Cubs, but pretty close to it. As he enters a contract year, Rizzo is hopeful he can extend his stay with the team that he helped break a 108-year World Series drought with in 2016.
“I’m very optimistic,” Rizzo said of his future in Chicago to the collective media, including Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago. “We’ve had really good conversations top to bottom.”
Now 31, Rizzo was acquired from the Padres as part of a trade that sent right-handed pitcher Andrew Cashner to San Diego in January of 2012. The trade has turned out to be one of the greatest transactions in franchise history, as Rizzo has made three All-Star teams and won four Gold Glove Awards in nine seasons with the Cubs.
While Rizzo hit just .222 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he still homered 11 times, drove in 24 runs and posted three defensive runs saved.
Rizzo is part of a group of three franchise icons that can become free agents after this season, one that also includes former National League MVP Kris Bryant and two-time All-Star Javier Báez. RADIO.COM MLB Insider Jon Heyman suggested earlier this month that the Cubs have some level of optimism about their ability to potentially reach a long-term pact with Báez.
There would no doubt be interest in Rizzo if he hit the free-agent market, though reigning National League MVP Freddie Freeman is the top potential first base option on the market.
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