A LANDING SPOT FOR RIZZO THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE

 Let’s be real: Anthony Rizzo has earned the benefit of the doubt.

Sure, the 2024 numbers didn’t pop off the page—8 home runs in 92 games, a .301 OBP—but we’re talking about a guy who’s given everything he’s got to this game, and especially to the Yankees. Rizzo didn’t just play first base—he owned it. He turned tough scoops into outs, mentored younger players like a clubhouse Yoda, and brought veteran poise to a team that always seemed to be one dramatic inning away from a meltdown.

He’s not just a ballplayer. He’s a glue guy. A leader. A baseball lifer. And I still believe—really believe—he’s got at least 15- 20 dingers left in that sweet lefty swing. Give him a healthy stretch, and you’re telling me he can’t secure first base and mash a few fastballs into McCovey Cove? Please. I’ve seen that guy light up October. He’s not done.

So it’s kind of wild that no one’s scooped him up yet. Rizzo has openly said he still wants to play. Retirement? Maybe someday—but not yet. He knows what he brings to a roster. And so do his peers. Rizzo is one of the most well-respected players in the league. He’s basically a walking goodwill ambassador for the sport. The fact that no team has taken a flyer on him? That’s baseball weirdness at its finest.

But maybe that’s about to change. Enter: the San Francisco Giants.

Sports Illustrated’s Nick Ziegler made a pitch recently that makes a whole lot of sense: the Giants should go get Anthony Rizzo. Right now, they’re relying on LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base, and it’s been, well, meh. Wade’s a nice player, but he hasn’t exactly been a force in the lineup this year. If the Giants are serious about making a push toward October, adding Rizzo might just be the low-risk, high-upside move that could give them a jolt.

“Even though it's not a massive upgrade, a veteran like Rizzo could help propel the Giants into the postseason,” Ziegler wrote. “The slugger has a plethora of experience playing in the playoffs, and could be a great leader in the clubhouse in addition to potentially being an upgrade at first base.”

Yes. Exactly. He’s playoff-tested, clutch-approved, and would walk into that Giants clubhouse with instant respect. And hey, Oracle Park might be pitcher-friendly, but Rizzo knows how to play within a park’s dimensions. He’s smart at the plate. He uses the whole field. And he knows how to lead a team through the ups and downs of a 162-game grind.

Salary-wise? Last year he made $16 million, but let’s be honest—at this point, Rizzo understands where he stands. He’s not holding out for a Brinks truck. He wants to play. He wants to compete. He wants to win. And he still can.

Kerry Miller at Bleacher Report tossed around a few other landing spots—Colorado, Detroit, Miami—but San Francisco? That’s the one that sticks. It just feels right. A competitive team that could use some lefty pop, a savvy glove at first, and a clubhouse rock to lean on.

If the Yankees have officially moved on—and it sure seems like they have—then we tip our caps, say thank you, and hope Rizzo finds a new home where he’s appreciated for everything he still brings to the table.

I know I’ll be rooting for him, wherever he goes. But if the Giants are smart? They’ll call his agent tomorrow.  Let’s go, Rizz. You’ve still got more baseball left in you. And some team—hopefully wearing orange and black—is going to be real glad they believed. That's my take anyway.

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