According to multiple reports, the Giants have their eye on Northern California native Aaron Judge this winter, but might they be interested in adding another slugger from the Bronx?
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Tuesday that he sees the Giants as a contender for Yankees' free-agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
"I think Anthony [Rizzo] would be a tremendous fit for the Giants. A team I think we're going to see be aggressive in free agency overall, with Aaron Judge, too. But, Rizzo out there to the west coast, I'd love that fit, and certainly his ability to hit in that ballpark. I think it would be very, very appealing for the San Francisco Giants."
The Giants will also consider their own first baseman's future, as Brandon Belt is slated to hit free agency this offseason.
Rizzo recently opted out of his two-year contract that he signed with the Yankees last offseason, and the Yanks responded by extending him the $19.65 million qualifying offer on Tuesday, Jon Heyman reported.
Rizzo emerged as one of the Yankees’ top sluggers in 2022 outside of Aaron Judge, hitting 32 home runs with an .817 OPS in 130 games. He also was a major catalyst in the Yanks turning their infield defense around drastically in the past year.
The qualifying offer is more than the $16 million Rizzo would have made in 2023 had he opted into the final year of his contract, but he can still decline the qualifying offer and become a free agent.
The Athletic projects Rizzo to sign a two-year, $36 million deal in free agency, but the price could be much steeper than that.
"Anthony Rizzo, for me, is a really intriguing free agent. You look at the New York Yankees, and rightfully so, we talk a lot about Aaron Judge. ...He was one of the most important bats in that lineup. …He's going to be, I believe, one of the most valuable bats out there."
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