Anthony Rizzo Unsure About Yankees Contract: ‘Talk to Cash, See What They Think’ | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

While the New York Yankees’ focus after the season will be on free agent Juan Soto, they may be looking for a new first baseman and Anthony Rizzo may not be back in 2025.

Talking to reporters following a 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series, Rizzo didn’t have a specific answer when asked about his future in the Bronx.

“I don’t know what the future will hold,” Rizzo said. “Talk to Cash, see what they think. We still have a lot to give in this game in many ways.”

Unfortunately, the last memory Yankees fans will have of Rizzo will be a defensive error on Mookie Betts’ grounder in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s loss that helped the Dodgers tie the game at five innings.

Rizzo took a pragmatic view of things given his age, injury concerns and performance this season. He recognized before Game 4 of the World Series that the series “could very well be” his last game in Yankee pinstripes.

“I’m a realist. I’m not naive about it,” Rizzo said. “But I think all this will change when the time comes. It means the most to me just to go to the field and be with this group.”

Yankees hold $17 million team option in Rizzo’s contract for next season. It is unlikely that they will understand this, especially since they Salary estimates for 2025 are already faced with a competition balance tax even before negotiations begin on what could become historical contract for Soto.

Rizzo had worst season of a career in which he played at least 50 games in 2024. He hit .228/.301/.335 with eight homers in 337 at-bats and ranked last among 25 first basemen with at least 350 plate appearances in wRC+ (85).

Even though the Yankees don’t have an obvious replacement in the starting lineup, it wouldn’t be hard to find another player who could produce even the same level of performance as Rizzo in 2024.

The Yankees could also decline Rizzo’s option and try to bring him back at a lower salary than the $17 million figure.

General manager Brian Cashman and the New York front office have a lot of important decisions to make this offseason following a disappointing World Series run for the franchise.