Yankees trade for Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo
Andrew Mckinney The New York Yankees traded for Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Thursday, sending two minor-league prospects in exchange.
The Yankees sent right-handed pitcher Alexander Vizcaíno (their No. 9 prospect) and outfielder Kevin Alcantara (their No. 13 prospect) to the Cubs. The trade took place ahead of the deadline, which is Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
A three-time All-Star, Rizzo is batting .248 with 14 home runs, 40 RBIs and a .792 OPS in 92 games this season. The 31-year-old had spent 10 of his 11 MLB seasons with the Cubs, winning a World Series in 2016. Rizzo is also a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, including each of the past three seasons.
Rizzo homered in his Yankees debut Friday against the Miami Marlins.
The Yankees already acquired Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo this week.
(Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images)
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Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees: Roundtable reaction from The Athletic MLB's writers
How Rizzo's bat fits into the lineup
Lindsey Adler, Yankees beat writer: Rizzo, like Gallo, will give the Yankees some left-handed presence in their lineup. Rizzo is a more well-rounded hitter, however, with a good contact rate (81.8 percent). In the 92 games he played for Chicago this year, he hit .248/.346/.446 with 14 home runs.
This season, he’s also a reverse splits guy:
- In 101 PA vs LHP: .333/.416/.552
- In 275 PA vs RHP: .216/.320/.407
Are the Yankees done?
Adler: The Yankees do not appear to be done making moves before Friday’s trade deadline. The Rizzo trade makes Luke Voit fairly redundant, and it seems likely he will be moved. Additionally, the Yankees need pitching help. Voit could theoretically be part of a trade for bullpen reinforcements.
General manager Brian Cashman is at work on what looks to be another masterful trade deadline effort. So far, he’s been able to improve the team, retain big-name prospects and stay under the luxury tax threshold. There’s likely more to come.
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Who else could Chicago trade before the deadline?
Patrick Mooney, Cubs beat writer: Clearly, no one is untouchable since the Cubs just traded the face of their franchise. But the Cubs began moving in this direction last offseason when Jed Hoyer took over as president of baseball operations and executed the Yu Darvish deal with San Diego.
Rizzo also understood the risk when he declined a five-year, $70 million extension offer and shut down contract talks at the end of spring training. After trading Joc Pederson, Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera and Rizzo, Hoyer won’t get a break until after Friday’s deadline.
The Cubs are actively working to trade All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and former National League MVP Kris Bryant. Starting pitcher Zach Davies could be packaged in one of those deals.