Mon Feb 24 10:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Veteran First Baseman Anthony Rizzo Still Seeking a Team Amidst MLB Spring Training
**TAMPA, FL -** Three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Anthony Rizzo remains unsigned as Spring Training games get underway. The 35-year-old first baseman, recently bought out by the New York Yankees, is healthy and eager to play, but acknowledges the realities of the aging player market in Major League Baseball.
Rizzo’s $17 million option was declined by the Yankees, leaving him with a $6 million buyout. While his career earnings now total $127.6 million, the lack of substantial offers is perplexing to the veteran. He points to the Yankees’ signing of 37-year-old Paul Goldschmidt, despite a dip in Goldschmidt’s offensive numbers, as an example of teams prioritizing playing time over potentially declining performance.
Rizzo attributes his reduced market value to two injury-plagued seasons. He suffered a concussion, a fractured forearm, and broken knuckles, requiring extensive treatment, including multiple numbing injections, to play through the playoffs. Despite these injuries, he performed respectably in the postseason, hitting .267 with a .721 OPS.
The veteran first baseman is frustrated by the low-ball offers he’s received, claiming some teams are offering close to the league minimum ($760,000), a move he believes harms the earning potential of future players. He’s committed to securing a fair deal, even if it means waiting longer for the right opportunity.
Rizzo’s former Yankees teammates speak highly of his leadership and character, expressing their disappointment at his absence. While his performance in Game 5 of the World Series—a play which resulted in a Dodgers rally—remains a point of discussion, Rizzo stands by his actions given his hand injury.
With his wife expecting their first child in June, Rizzo is hesitant to sign with a non-contender, fearing a mid-season trade might disrupt his family life. He’s not alone in his predicament, as several other veteran players, including Alex Verdugo, Mark Canha, and Jose Quintana, remain unsigned.
Rizzo theorizes that the upcoming expiration of the collective bargaining agreement is affecting team strategies, leading to a period of reduced spending on veterans. For now, he’s focused on training and remaining optimistic about finding a team before the season begins, emphasizing his desire to play and contribute to a winning team.
First Piper 