Muscle Sport Magazine

YANKEES RE-SIGN INF ANTHONY RIZZO

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The New York Yankees today announced that they have re-signed INF Anthony Rizzo to a two-year Major League contact extending through the 2023 season with a player opt-out following the 2022 season.

 

Rizzo, 32, combined with the Cubs and Yankees to hit .248/.344/.440 (123-for-496) with 73R, 23 doubles, 3 triples, 22HR, 61RBI and 52BB in 141 games in 2021. Over 11 Major League seasons with the San Diego Padres (2011), Chicago Cubs (2012-21) and Yankees (2021), he has hit .268 (1,372-for-5,113) with 762R, 291 doubles, 21 triples, 251HR, 814RBI and 661BB in 1,406 games.

 

On July 29, 2021, Rizzo was acquired by the Yankees along with cash considerations from the Cubs in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Alexander Vizcaíno and outfielder Kevin Alcántara. In 49 games with the Yankees, he hit .249/.340/.428 (43-for-173) with 32R, 7 doubles, 8HR, 21RBI and 16BB.

 

A three-time All-Star (2014-16), Rizzo has hit at least 20 home runs eight times in his career (2013-19, ’21) and is just one of three players since 2013 to hit at least 20 home runs in eight seasons, joining Nelson Cruz (8) and Kyle Seager (8). He has finished in the top four in NL MVP voting twice (fourth in 2015 and fourth in 2016) and was a member of the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs. The first baseman is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner (2016, ’18-20) and was named the 2016 NL Platinum Glove winner. Since 2011, his .995 fielding percentage at first base is the fifth-best at the position (min. 650 games).

 

Rizzo reached 30 doubles, 30 home runs and 100 RBI in three straight seasons from 2015-17, becoming only the fourth Cub to reach those marks in at least three seasons, joining Hack Wilson (four times, 1927-30), Billy Williams (three times, 1965, ‘70 and ‘72) and Sammy Sosa (three times, 1997, 2000-01). The 2016 Silver Slugger winner is one of seven Cubs with six-or-more seasons of at least 25 home runs, joining Sammy Sosa (12), Billy Williams (10), Ernie Banks (10), Ron Santo (eight), Aramis Ramirez (seven) and Ryne Sandberg (six).

 

Additionally, Rizzo was honored with the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award, annually given to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

 

Originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Rizzo was traded along with RHP Casey Kelly, OF Reymond Fuentes and INF Eric Patterson to the San Diego Padres for INF Adrián González on December 5, 2010. The left-handed hitter was then acquired by Chicago-NL along with RHP Zach Cates from San Diego in exchange for RHP Andrew Cashner and OF Kyung-Min Na on January 6, 2012. On May 13, 2013, Rizzo signed a seven-year contract through 2019 with the Cubs which included club options for 2020 and 2021.

 

The Yankees will announce a corresponding 40-man roster move.

 

SOURCE:

 

Jon Butensky

Assistant, Communications and Media Relations

New York Yankees

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