The Chicago Cubs made a significant offer to first baseman Anthony Rizzo during 2021 spring training, offering him a five-year, $70 million contract extension. Rizzo has been an integral part of the Cubs’ roster for several years, playing a key role in their World Series championship in 2016.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Cubs’ offer to Rizzo and its implications for both the team and Rizzo’s future. We’ll examine the specifics of the offer, Rizzo’s response, and what this means for the Cubs moving forward.
The Offer
The Cubs offered Anthony Rizzo a five-year, $70 million extension during 2021 spring training. This offer would have kept Rizzo in a Cubs uniform through the 2026 season, as his previous contract was set to expire after the 2021 season.
The offer represented a significant increase in salary for Rizzo, who had been making $16.5 million per year under his previous contract.
When evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Cubs’ offer, several factors must be considered. Rizzo has been a consistent and productive player for the Cubs, earning three All-Star selections and four Gold Glove Awards during his time in Chicago.
He has also been a key part of the team’s success, playing a pivotal role in their championship run in 2016.
Additionally, when looking at Rizzo’s market value, it’s important to consider the salaries of other first basemen in the league. Based on his performance, Rizzo could certainly command a higher salary than he was making under his previous contract.
However, whether the Cubs’ offer was fair or reasonable ultimately depends on how Rizzo and his representatives value his contributions to the team and his potential earnings on the open market.
Overall, while the Cubs’ offer to Rizzo was a significant increase in salary, it’s possible that Rizzo and his team may have felt that he was worth even more based on his performance and market value.
It’s also possible that negotiations continued beyond the initial offer, with the potential for the two sides to come to a more favorable agreement for both parties.
Rizzo’s Response
After the Cubs offered Anthony Rizzo a five-year, $70 million extension during 2021 spring training, Rizzo and his representatives did not immediately accept or decline the offer.
Rizzo indicated that he was focused on playing and not on contract negotiations, saying that he was “not really worried about it” and that he had “a lot of trust in [his] agents.”
There were no reports of any negotiations or discussions between Rizzo’s representatives and the Cubs immediately following the initial offer. However, it’s possible that conversations continued behind the scenes as the season progressed.
Ultimately, Rizzo did not sign the extension offered by the Cubs and became a free agent at the end of the 2021 season.
While it’s unclear whether negotiations continued beyond the initial offer, it’s likely that Rizzo and his representatives were seeking a deal that better reflected his performance and market value.
In the end, Rizzo signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the New York Yankees for the 2022 season. This represented a significant decrease in salary compared to the extension offered by the Cubs, but allowed Rizzo to test the free agent market again after the 2022 season.
Implications for the Cubs
The Cubs’ offer to Anthony Rizzo had significant implications for their roster and future plans. If Rizzo had accepted the extension, he would have remained the team’s starting first baseman through the 2026 season.
This would have provided stability at a key position and allowed the team to plan for the future around Rizzo’s presence in the lineup.
However, with Rizzo declining the offer and eventually signing with the Yankees, the Cubs were left with a hole at first base. While they did acquire first baseman Frank Schwindel mid-season who performed well, Rizzo’s absence left a significant gap in the Cubs’ lineup and clubhouse.
The team also faced the challenge of replacing Rizzo’s leadership and veteran presence in the clubhouse, as he had been a key leader for the team during his tenure in Chicago.
In terms of potential ramifications, Rizzo’s decision to decline the offer and sign elsewhere signaled a shift in the Cubs’ long-term plans.
With several key players from their championship team set to become free agents in the coming years, the Cubs were faced with the decision of whether to invest in their current core or to begin a rebuild.
Rizzo’s departure could be seen as a signal that the team was prepared to move on from their current roster and build for the future.
Additionally, Rizzo’s departure also had financial implications for the Cubs. With Rizzo set to earn a significant salary under the proposed extension, the team would have had to make corresponding financial moves to stay under the luxury tax threshold.
With Rizzo signing elsewhere, the Cubs were left with more financial flexibility to invest in other areas of the team, whether through free agency or player development.
Overall, while the Cubs’ offer to Rizzo was a significant one, his decision to decline the extension and sign elsewhere had a significant impact on the team’s roster and future plans.
The team will now need to evaluate how to move forward without Rizzo and how to build for the future without their former cornerstone player.
Anthony Rizzo’s Contract Offer From the Cubs
| Offer Type | Contract Length | Total Contract Value |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | 5 years | $70 million |
This table summarizes the Cubs’ contract offer to Rizzo, which was a five-year extension worth $70 million. The table provides a quick reference for the key terms of the offer, including the offer type, contract length, and total contract value.
FAQs
Did the Cubs make any other offers to Rizzo before or after the five-year, $70 million extension?
There were no reports of any other offers made by the Cubs to Rizzo before or after the extension offer. However, it’s possible that negotiations or discussions continued behind the scenes.
Did Rizzo’s performance in the 2021 season affect the Cubs’ offer or negotiations?
It’s unclear whether Rizzo’s performance in the 2021 season had a significant impact on the Cubs’ offer or negotiations. While Rizzo had a solid season, batting .248 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs in 92 games, it’s likely that the Cubs were evaluating Rizzo’s overall performance and market value rather than just his 2021 statistics.
Were there any other teams interested in signing Rizzo during the 2021 season?
There were no reports of other teams expressing interest in signing Rizzo during the 2021 season. However, it’s possible that other teams were monitoring Rizzo’s situation with the Cubs and waiting to see if he would become a free agent.
How did Rizzo’s departure affect the Cubs’ fanbase?
Rizzo was a beloved player among Cubs fans, and his departure was met with disappointment and sadness by many in the fanbase. However, there was also an understanding that the team needed to make tough decisions in order to build for the future.
What other moves did the Cubs make during the 2021 season in response to Rizzo’s potential departure?
In addition to acquiring first baseman Frank Schwindel, the Cubs also traded away several other key players before the trade deadline, including Kris Bryant and Javier Baez. These moves signaled a significant shift in the team’s plans and a commitment to building for the future.
Conclusion
The Cubs’ offer to Anthony Rizzo of a five-year, $70 million extension during 2021 spring training had significant implications for the team’s roster and future plans.
While Rizzo had been a consistent and productive player for the Cubs, his decision to decline the offer and sign elsewhere signaled a shift in the team’s long-term plans.
The Cubs were left with a hole at first base and the challenge of replacing Rizzo’s leadership and veteran presence in the clubhouse. However, Rizzo’s departure also provided the team with financial flexibility to invest in other areas of the team.
Overall, the Cubs’ offer to Rizzo represented an attempt to retain a key player and build for the future, but his decision to decline the extension had significant ramifications for the team’s plans moving forward.
