Prior to the concussion he suffered during the 2023 campaign for the New York Yankees, former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was playing at a decent level.
He wasn't the same type of player he once was with the Cubs, but he was a valuable big leaguer, somebody the Yankees were more than content running out every game to play first base and hit in the middle of their lineup.
Fast forward a year and a half later, and Rizzo was one of the worst players in baseball last season, and is without a job with spring training already underway.
Unfortunately, unless he's willing to take a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp, it doesn't seem likely that he'll land with a team.
He also made it known that he isn't willing to play for the league minimum, further complicating his free agency dilemma.
And at this point, there's a chance he might have to retire if he doesn't want to accept a new role.
That's exactly what Michael Monreal of Just Baseball predicted could happen, naming him one of five former All Stars who may be forced to enter retirement in 2025.
"Rizzo is a legend in the north side of Chicago, but his production has fallen off a cliff since leaving. Once a consistent power threat, hitting 30 or more home runs in five of his MLB seasons, Rizzo managed to hit just eight long balls for the Yankees last season... While his role as a leader and plethora of experience could help him make a big league roster, it seems as if his times as an everyday player are limited," Monreal wrote.
For Rizzo, he has to hope that a ball club will be interested in adding him as a veteran locker room guy.
There's value in having him around, but his best days are far behind him, and this is a business at the end of the day, one that he hasn't succeeded at in nearly two seasons.
