Yankees decline 1B Anthony Rizzo's $17M option

Field Level Media|published: Sat 2nd November, 12:27 2024

MLB: World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees

Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees declined the $17 million club option for 2025 for first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the team announced Saturday.

Rizzo, 35, will enter free agency after a trying season that saw him set full-season career-lows for homers (eight), RBIs (35) and OPS (.637).

The Yankees went 29-33 without Rizzo from June 18-Aug. 31, when the four-time Gold Glove winner was sidelined with a broken right forearm.

He also was out more than two weeks after fracturing two fingers on a hit-by-pitch in the regular-season finale. He returned to appear in 10 games in the American League Championship Series and the World Series, walking six times and striking out 10 times in 38 plate appearances as the Yankees lost the title to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

He was a three-time All-Star for the Chicago Cubs earlier in his career. Rizzo has 303 career homers over 14 seasons with the San Diego Padres (2011), Cubs (2012-21) and Yankees (2021-24).

The Yankees signed Rizzo to a two-year, $40 million deal on Nov. 15, 2022, that included the club option for a third year.

--Field Level Media