3 bold predictions for Yankees after MLB Trade Deadline

2. Anthony Rizzo will sign an extension

The Yankees made a clear decision to prioritize adding left-handed bats ahead of the Deadline. They made the move to bring Rizzo into the fold despite already having a quality first baseman in the form of Luke Voit. Trading for Rizzo was a clear sign that the Yankees aren’t enamored with Voit’s long-term future in the Bronx.

The proper game plan for New York moving forward is to install Rizzo as their first baseman of the future. That will require signing the talented slugger to a new contract. It’s very possible the Yankees will move to lock Rizzo up for the long haul before the regular season concludes.

Many Yankees fans expect the team to spend big money on a shortstop in free agency. The simple truth is that keeping Rizzo will allow Cashman to keep the payroll down in comparison. Leaving Gleyber Torres at shortstop isn’t an ideal defensive solution, but he is already a fixed cost for New York. A future in field of Rizzo at first, DJ LeMahieu at second, Gleyber at short and Gio Urshela at third is the most likely outcome for New York heading into 2022.

Rizzo isn’t going to sign a lucrative long-term extension to stay in the Bronx, but signing a two or three-year deal at a healthy salary could satisfy everyone involved. Don’t look for his stay in New York to end after just a few months.