According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Chicago Cubs have just traded Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees.
The Yankees are moving closer to acquiring Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. #yankees
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) July 29, 2021
I mentioned this as an idea earlier in the week, suggesting this would be a good place for Rizzo to end up. With the presence of Luke Voit (who is now rumored to be moved) Rizzo could platoon a bit, play DH to give his back a rest, and would benefit from a rather easy right field porch.
The Yankees added Joey Gallo on Wednesday, and Rizzo (possibly) today. Rizzo turned down a five-year extension worth $70 million this spring. Now he is a Yankee. The Cubs will (remarkably) pick up all of Rizzo’s remaining salary (an effort to get better prospects in return).
This is truly an end of an era with the captain moving along.
All media are now reporting this is a done deal.
Important detail in Rizzo trade: Whether Cubs are sending cash to Yankees to secure better prospects. Rizzo owed nearly $6M for rest of season. Rangers covered entire salaries for Gallo and Rodriguez, per @JoelSherman1. Yankees mindful of staying under luxury-tax threshold.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2021
Have heard, as @JackCurryYES just said, that the Yankees expect to send OF Kevin Alcantara and pitcher Alexander Vizcaino to Chicago in exchange for Anthony Rizzo.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) July 29, 2021
OF Kevin Alcantara was the Yankees number 12 prospect, while pitcher Alexander Vizcaino is the Yanks number 9 prospect. The Yankees don’t have top-end talent, but their system is very deep.
Unsurprisingly, hearing high upside with high risk on the Cubs return for Anthony Rizzo. Vizcaíno reliever profile, good data on FB, change took a step up, questions on command. Alcantara tooled up COF, has big power but needs to improve in-zone contact
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) July 29, 2021
Personally, this is a good deal for the Chicago Cubs. We don’t like it, we don’t like seeing Rizzo – the lightning rod that started the rebuild and ultimately the World Series – leaving. But the return was strong, stronger than they would have gotten if they gave him the Qualifying Offer – which they weren’t going to do. And yes, Rizzo has a real shot of returning to Chicago in the offseason. I don’t think he will see the interest he believes he should, and he will always be more valuable to the Cubs than he is to any other organization.
But this doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. This does hurt. It was a shot to the gut type of hurt. I don’t think I have caught my breath yet kind of hurt. This absolutely sucks.
