On Wednesday, the New York Yankees bolstered their lineup depth by adding slugger Joey Gallo in a trade with the Texas Rangers. Less than 24 hours later, the club has pulled off another blockbuster, signaling that the team is going all-in for a World Series in 2021.
According to multiple reports, the Yankees are finalizing a deal to acquire Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. In exchange for the 31-year-old, the Cubs will receive outfielder Kevin Alcantara and pitcher Alex Vizcaino but will pick up the remainder of Rizzo’s salary.
Jack Curry of YES Network was the first to break the news and many media members swooped in to confirm the deal soon after.
The writing was on the wall for a potential Rizzo trade when he it was announced that he would not play in the Cubs game on Thursday afternoon. The Yankees, still wanting to add left-handed power hitters, were clearly aggressive in pursuing the 31-year-old and will now plug another multi-time All Star into the starting lineup.
Rizzo has hit .248 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI this season in Chicago. He’s also posted an impressive .346 on-base percentage, something that the Yankees will value immediately in the Bronx.
The Yankees are moving closer to acquiring Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. #yankees
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 29, 2021
The New York Yankees are finalizing a deal to acquire first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs, sources tell ESPN. First on the scene was @JackCurryYES.
In the last 24 hours, the Yankees have gotten Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo, two high-OBP lefties. Big moves in Bronx.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021
The Yankees are trading Alcantara and Vizcaino for Rizzo. The Cubs are picking up all of Rizzo’s remaining salary.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 29, 2021
Rizzo has spent almost his entire career in Chicago and was a crucial part of Chicago’s World Series run in 2016. He will remain a beloved player in the Windy City for years to come.
It’s been an aggressive deadline week for the Yankees who have shown to the rest of the league that they’re willing to acquire talent by any means necessary. New York currently sits at 53-48, nine games back in the AL East but is only three games out of the Wild Card with plenty of the season left to play.
With Gallo and Rizzo on the way, the Yankees have adequately retooled their offense to mount a playoff push.
The post Breaking: Yankees Reportedly Trading For Anthony Rizzo appeared first on The Spun.