The Yankees The decision to decline Anthony Rizzo’s 2025 option didn’t come out of nowhere. Injuries and age have started to take their toll on the 35-year-old first baseman, who has suffered numerous setbacks in 2024 and has seen his performance dip in recent years. Rizzo’s season was disrupted by a broken forearm in June and then a season-ending broken finger incident. this reduced his playing time, limiting him to just 92 games. His struggles at the plate reflected this: he finished with a career-low .636 OPS and just eight home runs, a stark contrast to his typical numbers. Even in 2023, Rizzo’s injuries — including a neck issue and a concussion — kept him from playing, capping his season at 99 games. These cumulative injuries raised questions about his long-term reliability.

The option itself was also expensive: $17 million. For a player struggling to stay healthy and productive, the Yankees couldn’t justify the high cost, especially with other big deals on the horizon, like their potential pursuit of Juan Soto. Rizzo could have a chance to stay in New York, however, if he’s willing to negotiate a more team-friendly deal. If the Yankees can find a price below the original option price, he could provide a familiar presence and veteran leadership to a young team. At the same time, Yankees don’t have a clear replacement for Rizzo at first baseadding a layer of complexity to the decision.

Rizzo has openly stated that he loves performing in New York, so if the team wants him back at a more manageable pace, he could well be in play. For now, he’s a free agent, but his future remains uncertain as the Yankees develop their offseason plans and evaluate their priorities.