The New York Yankees have their first baseman, and it’s not Freddie Freeman.
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Yankees are in an agreement to bring back Anthony Rizzo, pending a physical. The deal is for two years, worth $30-$35 million, per Audacy MLB insider Bob Nightengale, and includes an opt out after the first year, Ken Rosenthal reports.
Rizzo, 32, was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees last year at the trade deadline and provided some much-needed left-handed pop and versatility to the lineup.
In 49 games, Rizzo hit eight home runs and had 21 RBI with a slash line of .249/.340/.429 and a .768 OPS.
Rizzo also brings Gold Glove defense to first base, a weakness for the team until they traded for him last season. The infield now consists of Rizzo, Gleyber Torres at second, Isiah Kiner-Falefa at short and Josh Donaldson at third. DJ LeMahieu can fill in a first, second or third.
The Yankees now must decide what to do with Luke Voit, who seems to be the odd man out in their offseason moves to improve the infield.
By signing Rizzo, it also means the Yankees are now officially out of the Freeman sweepstakes.
Freeman, a former NL MVP and fresh off leading the Braves to a World Series title, is the top first base free agent on the market. He has been linked to the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Rays.
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