Anthony Rizzo unsure about Yankees' contract: 'Talk to Cash, see what they think' | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

While the New York Yankees will focus primarily on Juan Soto's free agency after the season ends, they could be in the market for a new first baseman since Anthony Rizzo may not return in 2025.

Speaking to reporters after a 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series, Rizzo didn't have a concrete answer to the question about his future in the Bronx.

“I don’t know what the future will bring,” Rizzo said. “Talk to Cash and see what they think. We still have a lot to give in this game in a lot of different ways.”

It will be unfortunate that Yankees fans' last memory of Rizzo will be the defensive error on a Mookie Betts grounder in the fifth inning of Wednesday's loss that helped the Dodgers tie the score in five innings.

Rizzo had a pragmatic view of things due to his age, injury concerns and his performance this season. He recognized before Game 4 of the World Series that the series “very well” could be his last game in Yankee pinstripes.

“I am a realist. I’m not naive,” Rizzo said. “But I think all this will be sorted out in due course. It means the most to me just driving to the field and being with this group.”

The Yankees have a $17 million team option on Rizzo's contract for next season. It seems highly unlikely they will afford that, especially since their 2025 salary estimates are already in line with the competitive balance sheet tax before they even begin negotiating a potentially historic contract for Soto.

Rizzo had the worst season of his career, playing at least 50 games in 2024. He hit .228/.301/.335 with eight homers in 337 at-bats and ranked last among 25 first basemen in wRC+ (85) with at least 350 plate appearances.

Even if the Yankees don't have an obvious replacement at first base on the roster, it wouldn't be hard to find another player who could even provide the same level of performance as Rizzo in 2024.

The Yankees could also decline Rizzo's option and try to bring him back at a salary lower than the $17 million figure.

General manager Brian Cashman and the front office in New York have a lot of big decisions to make this offseason after the franchise's run to the World Series ended in disappointment.