Anthony Rizzo’s MLB career might be nearing its end. The former Yankees first baseman is seriously considering retirement as teams aren’t showing much interest in the three-time All-Star.
“I’ve definitely thought about [retirement]. I think I have a lot to give to the game still,” Rizzo told The Athletic. “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.”
The Yankees moved on from Rizzo this offseason, buying out his contract for $6 million instead of picking up his $17 million option. It’s a stark turn for a player who was a key part of their lineup just two years ago. New York opted to replace him with Paul Goldschmidt on a one-year, $12.5 million deal.
Injuries have taken their toll on Rizzo over the past two seasons. The four-time Gold Glove winner has seen his production drop significantly – he’s hit just .237 with an 88 OPS+ since the start of 2023. That’s 12 percent below league average.
What’s particularly telling is how teams are viewing veteran players like Rizzo. He says clubs are offering close to league minimum ($760,000) despite his track record as a reliable teammate and clubhouse leader.
The way things are going, Rizzo might need to wait for injuries to create an opening somewhere. But at 35, and with teams increasingly hesitant to invest in veteran players, he’s facing the very real possibility that his 14-year career could be coming to an end.
That’s quite a shift for someone who’s been one of baseball’s most dependable first basemen of the past decade. Then again, this seems to be the new reality for aging veterans in today’s MLB.
