Will the Chicago Cubs add some firepower at first base this winter?
It has been speculated and rumored for months that the Cubs are looking to upgrade. New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has been floated as a fit for the Cubs on numerous occasions. There are other first basemen who will be available as well, including Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
Those three likely are the three biggest-name players who will be out there this winter, but they won't be the only ones. An old friend of the Cubs also likely will be available. Longtime Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo has a club option in his deal with the New York Yankees for the 2025 season worth $17 million.
After injuries derailed his last two seasons, it seems like the Yankees may end up declining the option. If that ends up becoming a reality, maybe a reunion could make sense.
Rizzo has been unlucky over the last two years with injuries. He is 35 years old now and will be much less expensive than Alonso, Walker, and maybe even Goldschmidt. Chicago doesn't necessarily need to make a big investment, as Michael Busch was solid for the Cubs last season.
Maybe bringing Rizzo in to add more depth on a cheap deal could make more sense than a mega deal for someone else. He also could provide a large voice in the clubhouse and plenty of leadership.
He likely will be out there in free agency and could be a help for the Cubs.
