Cubs reportedly trading Anthony Rizzo to Yankees |
CHICAGO — According to multiple MLB reporters, the Chicago Cubs are trading star first baseman Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees in return for prospects Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Vizcaino. The Cubs will reportedly be on the books for the remainder of Rizzo's salary, which is nearly $6 million.
Rizzo is set to become a free agent in the offseason and was rumored to have recently been negotiating a possible contract extension with the Cubs. Instead, the 31-year-old slugger will be taking his talents to the Bronx. In his Cubs tenure, which began in 2012, Rizzo played in 1,308 games, finishing with 243 home runs and a slash line of .272/.372/.489. Cubs have informed Rizzo of trade to Yankees, sources tell @TheAthletic. A three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover and member of the 2016 World Series team, "Big Rizz" was widely viewed as the Cubs' de facto leader. He famously recorded the final out in Game 7 of the 2016 Fall Classic. Rizzo's Cubs tenure ended with a thud, though, as he did not enter Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, even with fans at Wrigley Field chanting his name in the hope of him making a pinch-hitting appearance in the bottom of the ninth. Jack Curry of YES Network reported that the Cubs are receiving two prospects in return for Rizzo. The Yankees are sending Alcantara, an outfielder, and Vizcaino, a right-handed pitcher, to the North Siders. Alcantara, 19, is rated as the Yankees' No. 12 prospect, while Vizcaino, 24, is rated as the Yankees' No. 9 prospect The Yankees are trading Alcantara and Vizcaino for Rizzo. The Cubs are picking up all of Rizzo’s remaining salary.
