Anthony Rizzo becomes free agent after Yankees decline $17 million option

Anthony Rizzo's $17 million option for 2025 was declined Saturday by New York Yankees in favor of a $6 million buyout, making first baseman a free nt.

A three-time All-Star, 35-year-old Rizzo hit .228 with eight homers and 35 RBIs over 92 games in an injury-interrupted season.

Rizzo missed 62 games with a fractured right forearm after colliding with Boston reliever Brennan Bernardi on June 16. He batted .380 (8 for 21) after returning from injured list on Sept. 1, n fractured fourth and fifth fingers when hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh’s Ryan Borucki on Sept. 28.

He returned for AL Championship Series and World Series and batted .267 with RBIs.

A 2016 World Series champion with Chicago Cubs , Rizzo has a .261 career aver with 303 homers and 965 RBIs in 14 major league seasons. He was traded from Chicago to Yankees in July 2021.

He stayed with Yankees for a $32 million, two-year deal , n agreed in vember 2022 to a $40 million, two-year contract .