Yankees decline Anthony Rizzo's $17.5 million team option as offseason moves begin

Changes are coming successful the Bronx.

After losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers successful 5 games, the New York Yankees are already gathering towards adjacent season. 

The squad announced connected Saturday they declined archetypal baseman Anthony Rizzo’s $17 cardinal squad enactment for 2025, making the seasoned a escaped agent. The Yankees beryllium Rizzo a $6 cardinal buyout.

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New York Yankee Anthony Rizzo tosses his helmet aft striking retired against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 4th inning successful Game 2 of the World Series, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Rizzo, 35, struggled this season, hitting conscionable .228 with 8 location runs portion playing successful 92 games. Once known arsenic 1 of the champion defenders successful the sport, Rizzo’s defence became unreliable towards the extremity of the season. 

Rizzo was acquired from the Chicago Cubs astatine the 2021 commercialized deadline to assistance adhd a left-handed bat to the lineup. He has besides been 1 of the leaders successful the Yankees clubhouse alongside skipper Aaron Judge. 

The archetypal baseman suffered 2 fractured fingers erstwhile helium got deed by a transportation astatine the extremity of the season, and missed the Yankees ALDS triumph implicit the Kansas City Royals. Rizzo returned for the ALCS and World Series and had a .267 mean with a .421 on-base percent implicit 10 games. 

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, center, is pulled by manager Aaron Boone, left, arsenic archetypal baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) puts his manus connected Cole's enarthrosis during the seventh inning successful Game 5 of the shot World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, successful New York.  (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Rizzo said aft the Yankees Game 5 nonaccomplishment that helium has nary plans to discontinue and wants to support playing. 

Ben Rice played archetypal basal portion Rizzo was wounded during the play and is 1 of the players who could perchance regenerate Rizzo adjacent season.

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New York Yankee Anthony Rizzo throws his bat aft hitting a alert retired against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 5th inning successful Game 4 of the shot World Series, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, successful New York.  (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

On Friday, the Yankees picked up person Luke Weaver’s $2.5 cardinal enactment for adjacent season. 

That determination was a no-brainer for the Yankees. Weaver emerged arsenic 1 of the champion relievers connected the team, and was outstanding successful their postseason run, pitching to a 1.76 ERA successful 12 games. 

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