As I stated in an earlier newsletter, I don’t believe the Braves will let Freddie Freeman walk. I ALSO STATED, Alex Anthopoulos is undoubtedly doing his due diligence around the market in the event Freddie signs elsewhere.
Part of that is Anthony Rizzo. In a 1st base free agency media frenzy dominated by “X Team talked with Freeman, Atlanta still the favorites” & “X Team highly interested in Matt Olson”, the wildly-capable Rizzo has been relegated to the proverbial back-burner.
The complete absence of Yankees-X-Rizzo after New York acquired Rizzo at the trade deadline, indicates the Yankees have no interest in bringing the former Chicago Cub back to the Bronx.
Odd.
Rizzo won’t put the team on his back for any stretch of the season, but he’s capable of being a very important part of a contending lineup. He’s already proven that in Chicago, even winning a World Series in the Windy City.
He’s a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, 2016 Silver Slugger, & five times in his 11-year career has he garnered MVP votes. He’s a borderline stud.
Rizzo as a Brave
Earning $16.5 million each of the last two seasons, he’s only due for a marginal pay raise; even in a shallow first baseman market. His $16.5M AAV would rank him above Max Muncy & just below Jose Abreu in 2022.