First baseman Anthony Rizzo has decided to opt out of his contract with the New York Yankees, ESPN reported on Monday night. As a result, he will enter free agency.
Due to earn $16 million on this contract next season, Rizzo proved his worth by scoring 32 home runs and 75 RBIs. He also delivered a positive post-season performance, hitting .276 with two home runs and eight RBIs. With Rizzo in their team, the Yankees clinched the AL Division Series before being eliminated by the Houston Astros in the championship series.
Rizzo was under a two-year contract worth $32 million with the Yankees, however, the second year featured a player option, meaning that the baseman’s decision to opt out could have been expected.
After the Yankees were eliminated last season, Rizzo remained quiet on his future, stating, “At this point, I’ll sit down my wife and I’ll sit down my agents and we’ll talk about all that,” he said. “I’ve told [the Yankees] since signing the deal, we’re not going to talk about it until after the season. Now in the next few weeks, it’s time to talk about it.”
