"1000 percent false" - MLB insider dismisses Anthony Rizzo to Pirates talk as unfounded
Amidst the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings, rumors have linked infielder Anthony Rizzo to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but MLB insider Robert Murray was quick to dismiss them as nothing but speculation.
The 35-year-old first baseman has entered free agency this winter after a successful season, but the New York Yankees have shown interest in re-signing him. There has been speculation that the Pirates are interested in signing Rizzo, but Murray said:
"I asked some folks about that yesterday, and they laughed at me. I don't think they've had a single conversation with Anthony Rizzo. That is categorically 1000 percent false. Rizzo is not going to the Pirates."
Anthony Rizzo was signed by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB Draft but made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres in 2011. After spending his first MLB season in San Diego, the infielder had his longest stint with the Chicago Cubs, where he established himself as an All-Star caliber player and won the World Series.
Rizzo was then traded to the New York Yankees in 2021 and has spent three more seasons with them as a supporting act to the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. He has now entered free agency at age 35 and looking for a new club.
There's no doubt that Rizzo will attract plenty of interest from several teams, but as Robert Murray said from the Winter Meetings, the Pittsburgh Pirates are not one of them.
Watch: Anthony Rizzo's last interview as a Yankee after disappointing World Series loss vs Dodgers
Anthony Rizzo has entered free agency after spending over three years with the New York Yankees and coming as close as one can to winning the World Series.
The infielder was a crucial part of the Yankees roster that endured a disappointing loss in the Fall Classic to the LA Dodgers. Here's a look at his final interview as a Yankee:
The Yankees are looking make some upgrades in their roster but have shown no interest in Rizzo. It looks like his time in New York is over, but he holds some great memories of his time there as he looks for a new MLB team this winter.