"I’ve definitely thought about retirement": Anthony Rizzo considers future amid tough free agent market

The Yankees' infield, with Anthony Rizzo as its face and one full of offensive and defensive talents, seems like yesterday. As the three-time All-Star turns 35 years old, however, this moment finds him, at the blur of a career path caught between his love for the game and the reality of the market for aging veterans in the MLB.

The Yankees have made their decision. Rizzo had a $6 million buyout this offseason after 14 seasons with the team, compared to the $17 million option they declined to pick up. Instead, New York went for 37-year-old Paul Goldschmidt, who is reportedly in for a $12.5 million deal. For Rizzo, that may be the final nail.
“I’ve definitely thought about retirement. I think I have a lot to give to the game still,” Rizzo admitted in a candid interview with The Athletic. Yet, as he navigates the free-agent waters, it’s clear that the game might be offering him something different: a tough goodbye.
"It’s what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed. You’ve seen it happen more and more. I’m not naive to it. It could be it.” The reality of the market isn't lost on him—teams simply aren’t willing to pay top dollar for players his age.

Rizzo isn't the only veteran making difficult decisions in a market growing with youngsters and a heavier influence from bargains. The league wants to get deals below, which diminishes chances for such players like Rizzo, who have had injuries and lower numbers, to get those big contracts.
Teams are offering the league minimum for players they once relied on to carry the team. “Teams want you to play for basically league minimum ($760,000),” Rizzo said, highlighting how the financial landscape has shifted. His two injury-plagued seasons haven’t helped his cause, with a .237 batting average and an OPS+ of 88 (12% below the league average) since 2023.
Though Rizzo's future is murky, he’s not giving up just yet. The veteran is beloved in the locker room and known for pushing through injuries, but his declining stats and the financial squeeze facing older players could leave him with fewer options than he’d hoped for.

Will the slugger hold out for a midseason opportunity, possibly stepping in for an injured player? Or will his body and the cold realities of free agency lead him into early retirement? The next few months will be telling, but for now, Rizzo is holding on to the belief that there’s still something left to give.
Ultimately, Rizzo’s career may not end in a dramatic farewell, but instead a quiet exit after navigating the challenges of an ever-younger and more cost-conscious MLB. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who once lit up the Bronx with his bat and his leadership. But sometimes, even the greats have to step aside.