Chicago Cubs: Ranking the 3 likeliest landing spots for Anthony Rizzo

Chicago Cubs: Ranking the likeliest Anthony Rizzo landing spots: #2 – Red Sox

Assuming Freeman stays in Atlanta, we could see a team like the Boston Red Sox look to sign the three-time All-Star first baseman. Leading up to the trade deadline, when the writing was on the wall that the Cubs were selling hard, Boston seemed like the likeliest landing spot for Rizzo.

Of course, he started his career with the Red Sox, when they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He spent some pivotal years of his life as a member of the organization and Boston could certainly use him heading into 2022.

Looking at the Red Sox depth chart, first base belongs to Bobby Dalbec and Christian Arroyo right now. Dalbec, a former fourth-round pick, handled the bulk of first base duties in 2021, and actually put up pretty similar offensive numbers to Rizzo (.792 OPS to Rizzo’s .783). Given Dalbec won’t hit free agency for another five years and hasn’t even hit arbitration eligibility yet, Chaim Bloom may very well stick with him.

But if he wants to add a proven veteran – and a former Gold Glover – to the mix as an insurance policy for Dalbec and top prospect Triston Casas, Rizzo could be a fit. Again, there’s no long-term offer coming from the Sox. But if his options are limited, a return to Boston isn’t totally out of the question.