The biggest story of the Yankees‘ offseason will be their attempt to keep Juan Soto, one of the most enticing free agents who has ever hit the market.
But while the Yanks try to do that, there are a handful of their other key players who are also about to hit the open market.
That incudes Alex Verdugo, Gleyber Torres, and Clay Holmes.
It will also almost certainly include Anthony Rizzo, whom the Yankees hold a $17 million option on for 2025.
Rizzo is coming off a tough season.
The 34-year-old slashed just .228/.301/.335 in 92 games while posting an OPS+ of 81. But he’s not thinking about retirement.
“I feel like I have a lot left to offer in this game in a lot of different ways,” Rizzo told reporters after New York lost the World Series to the Dodgers on Wednesday night. “I don’t want to take this [jersey] off.”
And with it seeming like Rizzo won’t be back, he reflected on his three and a half seasons in the Bronx.
“The Yankees will always give themselves a chance to be at the top… but after every year, that’s it,” he said. “That’s the last time you’ll ever be with that exact team, these exact people in this moment. The uncertainty of what this clubhouse looks next year is definitely up in the air.
“To wear this jersey is something special that I wish every baseball player gets to feel, because it’s a different feeling wearing this jersey. I’ve loved every second of it.”
As far as Verdugo, the writing seems to be similarly on the wall.
Verdugo was replaced as the starting left fielder by Jasson Dominguez toward the end of the season, but eventually reclaimed his job.
Still, his performance — a .233/.291/.356 regular season slash line — left a lot to be desired.
And despite Verdugo’s strong defense, it’s likely that 2024 will be the only season he spends as a Yankee.
“This is the closest group of guys I’ve been with,” Verdugo said. “These guys get me emotional because of how much they mean to me and how much they accept me and let me in.
“We have some things to think about, but I definitely want to be back in pinstripes to help us win one.”
