Yankees’ AL Favorites After Rizzo Re-Signing

Re-Signing Anthony Rizzo Makes the Yankees AL World Series Favorites

Anthony Rizzo was one of the last big names left in the free agent market with Spring Training starting later this week. The New York Yankees traded for him last summer, and they were able to keep him in pinstripes for the next year or two. Rizzo signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the Yankees on Tuesday night with a player opt-out after one year. That means he could potentially sign a big deal next offseason if he has a great 2022 campaign with the Bronx Bombers.

The Yankees Have Tons of Power

This lineup has the potential to set the record for most home runs in a season now that the shift has been banned. If Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton can stay healthy, there are five players that could hit at least 30 home runs this season for the Yankees.

Rizzo has hit at least 22 home runs in eight straight regular length seasons, and he had four straight seasons with 30 or more home runs from 2014 to 2017. Stanton led the majors with 59 home runs in 2017 and hit 38 dingers in 2018 and 35 longballs in 2021. Meanwhile, Judge cranked 52 home runs in 2017 and hit 39 home runs last year.

The Yankees traded for Joey Gallo in the middle of last season, and he hit 38 home runs and will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the decision to ban the shift. They recently added Josh Donaldson from Minnesota too in a blockbuster trade that saw Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela traded away. Donaldson hit 37 home runs with Atlanta in 2019 and has four 30-home run seasons in his career.

New York Has the Second Best World Series Odds

This move bolsters the Yankees’ chances of winning the World Series. The Bronx Bombers have the second shortest World Series odds behind the Los Angeles Dodgers now at 9-1. The Houston Astros are right behind the Yankees at 9.50-1, but they are intriguingly favored to win the American League ahead of the Yanks.