The New York Yankees are actively searching for a first baseman and are expected to address the position soon.
After declining Anthony Rizzo’s player option and allowing him to enter free agency, the Yankees have been linked to several potential replacements, including Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Paul Goldschmidt, and Carlos Santana.
However, in ESPN’s David Schoenfield’s latest free-agent predictions, he foresees Alonso rejecting the Yankees and re-signing with the New York Mets.
“Alonso might be in line for $150 million, but is he worth it? I think that price tag is why he ends up back with the Mets rather than switching places with Soto in the lineup,” Schoenfield wrote. “Yankees GM Brian Cashman might see similarities between Alonso and Giancarlo Stanton — a slow, right-handed slugger with limited defensive value signed to a costly long-term deal in his 30s. While the Yankees need a first baseman after finishing last in MLB in OPS at the position in 2024, they might opt for a short-term solution and target Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in next year’s free agency.”
Despite New York’s apparent interest, Schoenfield predicts Alonso will ink a six-year, $159 million deal to stay with the Mets.
In 2024, Alonso hit .240 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs for the Mets. His career highs include 46 home runs and 131 RBIs.
Yankees Acquire Cody Bellinger
The New York Yankees made a significant lineup upgrade on December 17.
After losing Juan Soto to the Mets in free agency, the Yankees first signed Max Fried and then traded for closer Devin Williams. Their latest move was acquiring former NL MVP Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for $5 million and pitcher Cody Poteet.
Bellinger, a two-time All-Star and the 2019 NL MVP, is expected to take over as the Yankees’ starting center fielder, allowing Aaron Judge to move back to right field. In 2024, the 29-year-old hit .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs for the Cubs. Bellinger is set to earn $27.5 million in 2025, with a player option worth $25 million for 2026.
On the other side of the trade, Poteet appeared in five games for the Yankees in 2024, starting four. He posted a 3-0 record with an impressive 2.22 ERA. Over his MLB career, Poteet has a 5-4 record and a 3.80 ERA across 83 innings.
Rizzo Wanted to Remain in New York
Anthony Rizzo, who joined the Yankees in 2021 via a trade from the Cubs, has been a key figure in New York’s lineup despite battling injuries in recent years. Over the past two seasons, Rizzo played fewer than 100 games each year but remained a valuable presence at the plate.
Rizzo expressed his desire to stay with the Yankees following the conclusion of the 2024 season.
“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,” Rizzo said after the World Series.
“I love playing here, I love being a Yankee,” he added. “I love what comes with it—the standard that has been set here from all the great Yankees in the past. Yeah, this could very well be (the end of my Yankees tenure). I’m a realist. I’m not naive to it. But I think all that will shape out when the time is right.”
In 2024, Rizzo hit .228 with 8 home runs and 35 RBIs for New York.
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