Anthony Rizzo has no regrets over turning down extension to remain with Cubs

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo said that he has “no regrets” over turning down a contract extension from the Chicago Cubs.

This offseason, Anthony Rizzo signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees, who acquired him at the trade deadline last season from the Chicago Cubs. Rizzo is known for his lenghty period of time as the starting first baseman for the Cubs. Notably, heading into last season, Rizzo turned down a four-year, $60 million contract extension and a five-year, $70 million offer from the Cubs.

Rizzo spoke with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and talked about the contract extension negotiations with Chicago last year and accepting the offer given to him by the Yankees.

“It’s not like I’m sitting here saying I wish I had taken it,” Rizzo told Rosenthal, h/t The Athletic. “If I play four to six more years, I’m going to make more money than I would doing that. When it’s all said and done, we’ll see. But as of now, no regrets.”

Anthony Rizzo has ‘no regrets’ about turning down contract extension from Cubs

Rizzo passed on the offers, and opted to play the 2021 season to hit free agency. The Cubs did have a strong start to the campaign, but they hit a lengthy losing streak, and the team decided to sell at the deadline. Rizzo, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant were all dealt.

The Yankees jumped at the opportunity to acquire Rizzo, as they sent over prospects Kelvin Alcantara and Alexander Vizcaino to finalize a deal.

Finishing out the 2021 season with the Yankees, Rizzo slashed .249/.340/.428 while recording eight home runs, 21 RBI and 43 hits.

This offseason, despite the Yankees being linked to free agent Freddie Freeman and then-Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson, the team brought Rizzo back on a two-year, $32 million deal.

It is not technically a two-year deal, as Rizzo has an opt-out following the 2022 season. So, if Rizzo were to put up huge numbers with New York in 2022, he can opt out and elect to get a new, larger deal in free agency.