Rizzo, We Have Your Offer Right Here

Anthony Rizzo may not be the player he once was, but he’s not ready to hang up his cleats just yet. While I’m confident he can still hit, there’s no denying he’s lost a step—especially on defense. But one thing Rizzo continues to bring to the table is leadership, and I witnessed that firsthand during his time with the Yankees. Getting older is tough—that’s just the truth.

Despite his performance dipping over the past couple of seasons, Rizzo feels the offseason offers he’s received have been “stingy.” He told The Athletic, “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.”

That’s where Bleeding Yankee Blue comes in. Our mission? To help save Anthony Rizzo. You’re welcome, America.

We recently proposed an idea—one that even Newsweek picked up on: Rizzo should transition into a player-coach role with the Yankees. Instead of viewing this as the twilight of his career, I see it as the dawn of something special—if the Yankees are smart enough to seize the opportunity. Read COULD RIZZO EVOLVE INTO A PLAYER-COACH ROLE WITH THE YANKEES?

Imagine this: The Bronx Bombers offer Rizzo a unique one-year contract (or more), not only as a player but as a “Player-Coach Mentor.” I know what you’re thinking: “Is this some kind of feel-good sports movie?” Well, maybe. But it’s not just a gimmick. It’s a strategic move that would honor Rizzo’s experience while gradually guiding him toward retirement—a reality he’ll likely face sooner than later.

Rizzo could become the steadying force in the clubhouse, offering wisdom to younger players, providing the leadership that, let’s face it, Aaron Boone often lacks. Newsweek even mentioned it: “Casey said in his Saturday post that Rizzo would take the leadership role that manager Aaron Boone, in Casey’s opinion, fails to take.” It’s true. With fresh talent coming in, Rizzo could be the perfect motivator.

Plus, if Paul Goldschmidt lands on the injured list, Rizzo could step in at first base, sharing duties with Ben Rice if needed. His role wouldn’t just be as a player—it would encompass mentorship, coaching, and perhaps, down the line, managing. Yes, you heard me right—Yankees manager.

If the Yankees craft Rizzo’s contract right, it could set up a seamless transition, especially if they finally part ways with Boone (which, let’s be honest, they should). Even if they decide to let Boone’s contract run its course, having Rizzo in this hybrid role could make for a smooth managerial handoff.

I’m all in on this. Rizzo, we’ve got the perfect plan for you! Let’s make it happen!