Could Rizzo Evolve Into A Player-coach Role With The Yankees?

 That, my friends, is something I am rooting for.  

Anthony Rizzo is the man, the leader, the legend. I love the guy.  The guy who can make a dugout feel like a family BBQ and hit a baseball like it owes him money. Rizzo is the type of player every team wants and every fan loves. He’s gritty, he’s charming, and he’s got leadership pouring out of his cleats. Well, spring training has arrived, and his name remains on the free agent list. It is clear that his next chapter might not be as straightforward as a home run trot.

If you caught our earlier piece, SOME INSIGHT ON WHERE ANTHONY RIZZO COULD GO back on January 20th, you know we were deep into speculation mode. Everyone was. I really thought Rizzo would ink a deal by now—maybe even with his old stomping grounds, the Cubs. The Nationals or Giants seemed like real possibilities too. But here we are, with no team having made that commitment, and Rizzo himself staring down the possibility of retirement.

When speaking with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Brendan Kuty, Rizzo was candid about his situation. “I think I have a lot to give to the game still,” he said. “But at the same time, if teams are not going to want to pay a few million dollars for veterans, I’ve seen it the last 10 years of my career. It’s what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed. I’m not naive to it. It could be it.”

It’s a sobering thought for a guy who’s given so much to baseball. But rather than seeing this as the end of Rizzo’s journey, I think it could be the start of something pretty special—especially if the Yankees are paying attention. Picture this: The Bronx Bombers offer Rizzo a unique one-year deal, not just as a player but as a “Player-Coach Mentor.”

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Player-Coach Mentor? What is this, a feel-good sports movie?” And yeah, kinda! But hear me out. This wouldn’t just be a gimmick. It would be an appreciation and leadership role, a way for Rizzo to pass on his baseball wisdom while slowly easing into the retirement that, let’s be honest, is probably needed. He could be the clubhouse glue, the guy who keeps the young players grounded, the veteran who’s been there and done that. Boone sucks at that, Rizzo would shine.

And come on, the Yankees can afford it. They’ve got the cash, and they’ve got the need for a mentor like Rizzo. The players love him, the fans love him, and he’s already got a special place in New York’s heart. Plus, imagine the influence he could have on rising stars, teaching them not just how to play the game but how to handle the pressure of the pinstripes.

Whether he’s hitting dingers or delivering pep talks, Rizzo has a role to play. And if the Yankees are smart, they’ll make sure that role keeps him in the game, even if it looks a little different than before. After all, a baseball world without Anthony Rizzo just doesn’t feel right. And if this Player-Coach Mentor idea takes off, it might just be the most Yankee move ever—both bold and sentimental, with a touch of that New York flair.

Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: Rizzo is a fighter, a gamer, and genuinely one of the good guys in baseball. Here’s hoping his story isn’t quite over yet.

Agree? Don’t agree? Let me know.