With Opening Day for the 2025 MLB season just two weeks away, the New York Yankees may still make a surprise move before the season begins.
Many experts expect the Yankees to add a pitcher to their rotation after a string of recent injuries. However, on March 12, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer made a bold prediction: the Yankees could re-sign first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
“Rizzo, who has been relatively quiet during the offseason, made it clear last month that he wants to keep playing,” Rymer wrote. “Although he hasn’t been the same since a concussion in 2023, the three-time All-Star could be a valuable addition to a team looking for a left-handed bat at first base or designated hitter.”
Rymer suggested Rizzo could help relieve Giancarlo Stanton while he’s sidelined.
Rizzo was traded to the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs at the 2021 MLB trade deadline and has been with New York for the last three and a half seasons. Last year, he posted a .228/.301/.335 slash line with eight home runs, 35 RBIs, and 38 runs across 92 games.
Anthony Rizzo
In his 12-year MLB career, Rizzo has earned over $135 million and made three All-Star appearances with the Cubs from 2014 to 2016.
Could Rizzo Return to the Yankees? The Yankees added Paul Goldschmidt this offseason to play first base, so bringing back Rizzo to fill that role isn’t a necessity. However, with Stanton dealing with injuries in both elbows and no clear recovery timeline, the Yankees might need to look elsewhere for help at designated hitter.
There’s no telling when Stanton will return, and surgery may even be a possibility. This leaves backup catchers Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra as potential DH options to begin the season.
“Wells is the starter, and due to the injuries in camp, the Yankees might carry three catchers to start the season,” MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch noted. “Rice and Escarra have both shown solid bats in Spring Training, making them candidates for the DH role.”
But with Rice having just 50 MLB games under his belt and Escarra yet to debut in the majors, bringing back Rizzo would provide the Yankees with a much-needed, experienced left-handed bat.
In his time with New York, Rizzo has hit .234 with a .735 OPS, totaling 60 home runs, 172 RBIs, and 192 runs over 370 games. Across his 14-year career, Rizzo boasts a .261 batting average and a .828 OPS.
If the young catchers aren’t ready to take on the DH role full-time, re-signing Rizzo could provide a familiar and reliable option for the Yankees.
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