Anthony Rizzo, Yankees Reportedly Agree to 2-Year, $34M Contract in Free Agency

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Jack Curry of Yes Network, the New York Yankees have agreed to a two-year contract with veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

The deal includes a club option for a third season.

Jack Curry @JackCurryYES

The Rizzo deal is for 2 years, $34M with a club option for $17M for a third year. The buyout in the third year is for $6M.

He became a free agent after declining the one-year, $19.65 million offer.

He became a free agent after exercising an opt-out clause in his contract with the Yankees. He signed a two-year $32 million extension after being traded from the Chicago Cubs.

It was his first full season with the Yankees and he put together a respectable campaign. He slashed.224/.338/.480 with 32 home runs.

While speaking on The Michael Kay Show in November, the Yankees manager made it clear that he wanted the club to re-sign the pitcher.

He's been great for us. He has been a great person in the club. An amazing leader on the field. I don't think it's possible to play for the Yankees. He handles everything that goes with being a leader and one of the premium players. I'd love to have him back.

The Cubs won the World Series in 2016 with the help of Anthony Rizzo. He won four gold gloves and a silver glove during that time.

The Yankees would have had to find a replacement for him if he had signed elsewhere.

The front office can shift its focus to other areas, such as signing Judge as well as at third base and at least one pitcher, now that Rizzo is sticking around.