Anthony Rizzo enters his final season with the Chicago Cubs before hitting MLB free agency.
For the last decade, Anthony Rizzo has been a mainstay at first base for the Chicago Cubs.
Rizzo has won four Gold Gloves, made three trips to the All-Star Game, took home a Silver Slugger and caught the 2016 World Series-clinching out in his nine years on the North Side. However, 2021 is the last season he is under contract with the Cubs. While he could be hitting free agency ahead of his age-32 season in 2022, Rizzo is not concerned about getting a contract extension.
Anthony Rizzo knows that if he produces, the money will take care of itself
For the better part of his MLB career, Rizzo has been one of the better first basemen in the National League. While he has a career slash line of .271/.372/.485 in 10 seasons, Rizzo is coming off arguably his worst year at the plate. Though it was only a 60-game campaign, Rizzo hit just .222/.342/.414 for the 2020 NL Central division champions. Will he be part of the Cubs’ future?
While Chicago should contend for an NL Central crown again, Cubs fans know an inevitable rebuild is coming. Starting pitcher Yu Darvish was traded to the San Diego Padres this winter and third basemen Kris Bryant is linked to a new team every other week. All the while, Rizzo and his teammates must put in the work to hold off the pesky arch rival St. Louis Cardinals in the Central.
Rizzo is going about his ongoing contract negotiations in the right manner this spring.