Chicago Cubs could bring back franchise legend in MLB free agency

The Chicago Cubs haven’t had much to smile about since their cursed World Series triumph in 2016.

After losing in the NLCS the following season in 2017, the team has not won a playoff game since then and has missed the playoffs entirely in five of the last seven seasons. With starter Kyle Hendricks the only remaining player from 2016 – and even he appears poised to leave as a free agent this offseason – turning back the clock might be in order this offseason with a player who can lead the way in the first World Championship series for the franchise since 1908?

Hard-hitting first baseman Anthony Rizzo was traded from the Cubs to the New York Yankees at the 2021 trade deadline and has struggled to produce the same performance he did in Chicago. With a $17 million team option looming over his future status with the Yankees, it seems more likely that Rizzo becomes a free agent as New York will almost certainly move on. Patrick McAvoy of Sporting News suggested that the Cubs could try to bring Rizzo back into the lineup as a cheaper alternative to some of the discarded names.

“After injuries derailed his last two seasons, it appears the Yankees will ultimately decline this option,” McAvoy wrote. “If that becomes a reality, maybe a reunion could make sense… Maybe bringing in Rizzo to add depth to a bargain deal might make more sense than a mega-deal for someone else.”

At age 35, 2024 was arguably the worst season of Rizzo’s career. The veteran posted a .228 average with just eight home runs and 35 RBIs, his worst OPS since his rookie year in San Diego nearly a decade and a half ago. Given his age and injury history, as well as numbers trending in the wrong direction in several consecutive seasons, it’s probably unlikely that Rizzo will suddenly experience a career resurgence upon returning to the Cubs.

But if the team misses out on guys like Pete Alonso and Anthony Santander to add power to the lineup – or more likely decides they’re too expensive – Rizzo won’t cost much and would probably be thrilled to come home and start his career in To end Chicago. At this point in his career he would only be a top player, but if he can stay healthy he could prove to be a productive signing.