Anthony Rizzo arrives, chats at Yankees spring trainingAfter signing a new two-year free agent contract, first baseman Anthony Rizzo arrives back at Yankees campPete Caldera, NorthJersey.comTAMPA, Fla. – Back in October, when the Yankees’ long winter began, there was a largely favorable feeling about bringing back Anthony Rizzo.At the time, Freddie Freeman seemed like a slam dunk to return to the world champion Atlanta Braves, and Matt Olson’s trade market was a lot cloudier.Mostly, the opportunity to pry Olson from the Oakland Athletics had to be exhausted.And when it became clear the Yankees weren’t paying a premium salary for Freeman, or paying a premium prospect package for Olson, a pinstriped pathway reopened for Rizzo.“At the end of the day, this is really where we wanted to be,’’ Rizzo said at Yankees camp Thursday afternoon, when his new two-year contract became official.”It’s just a great fit for trying to win a World Series and that’s what it’s all about here.”Let’s make a deal Maybe he was no longer your first choice as the Yankees’ lefty-hitting first baseman for 2022.That’s not exactly a bulletin for Rizzo, who spent more time in free agency – partly due to the MLB lockout – than he probably imagined.“There was a constant communication throughout the offseason with a lot of teams, with the Yankees being at the forefront of it,’’ said Rizzo.Earlier this week, Olson – who grew up in the Atlanta area – was traded to the Braves.Freeman, raised in Southern California, was deeply tied to the Los Angeles Dodgers – signing with them not long after Rizzo’s agreement with the Yanks.“Freddie and I are friends, and we’d text a little bit,’’ Rizzo said of the long, free agent process. “It’s part of it.’’Rizzo’s $32 million deal, at $16 million per, allows him to opt out after this season to re-enter free agency.Judge: Why the time is now for Yankees to give Aaron Judge his deserved contract extensionFeeling at home
Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo vs. Jordan Montgomery in batting practiceAt Yankees camp on Thursday, Anthony Rizzo rejoins the club and takes live batting practice against Jordan Montgomery.Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.comWorking out in Delray Beach, Fla., while camps were opening quickly became a melancholy experience for Rizzo.“I went to hit on a field the other day and the sprinklers turned on when I got there,’’ Rizzo said. “I’m just sitting in my car, like, ‘What am I doing right now?’ ’’By Thursday afternoon, Rizzo was participating in live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field and digging in against lefties Jordan Montgomery and Nestor Cortes (he homered off Cortes).During his two months as a Yankee last year, arriving via trade from the Chicago Cubs, “what stood out was how small I felt hitting next to (Joey) Gallo, (Aaron) Judge and (Giancarlo) Stanton,’’ said the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Rizzo.After spending his career with the Cubs and being part of their Forever Team, the 2016 world champs, Rizzo – whose parents were raised in Lyndhurst – quickly felt at home with the Yanks.“Just walking in (Thursday), being able to joke with the guys right away’’ felt natural to the captain of a revamped infield, with Josh Donaldson at third, Isiah Kiner-Falefa at short, Gleyber Torres switched to second and DJ LeMahieu roaming around.Donaldson: Josh Donaldson, Gerrit Cole clear the air before Yankees’ first official spring workoutBack to the future For the moment, right-handed hitting Luke Voit remains, though “you can’t have enough impact bats in your lineup,’’ said Rizzo, suggesting they could be a potent duo.“Luke is a really good at-bat, a good teammate and a good person. We get along.’’But the infield math doesn’t add up. Plus, the Yanks need the lefty bat in their right-leaning lineup and Rizzo’s Gold Glove caliber defense at first base.They’re anticipating a production level at least somewhat closer to his yearly Cubs prime (.284 average, .901 OPS, 30 homers, 99 RBI) than last year’s subpar stats.After a hot start with the Yanks last August, a COVID infection “cut into the ascent he was on,’’ said manager Aaron Boone.“It took him a while to get back going physically.’’Rizzo went public with his unvaccinated status last year, as a Cub, but he did not clarify his status Thursday.As for the New York City private sector COVID vaccine mandate that, for now, prevents unvaccinated Mets and Yankees from playing in home games, “I don’t think we’ll really have to worry about any of that,’’ Rizzo said. “We’ll see what the mandates are, but as far as all that, I’m not too concerned about that anymore.’’Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.Email: [email protected] Twitter: @pcaldera
