Cubs Rumors: Yankees have “no plans” to re-sign Anthony Rizzo or Gleyber Torres

Change is in the air in the Bronx. As the New York Yankees continue their free agent pursuit of Juan Soto, a new report suggests a pair of familiar faces are on their way out of town in Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres.

Rizzo, now 35 years old, returned to Wrigley Field late this summer for the first time as a visitor to a raucous Cubs fanbase. Now, reading this, I'm sure many of you are dusting off the Rizzo jerseys in hopes of a reunion. I've said it before and I'll say it again: 2016 was the pinnacle of my life as a sports fan, unlikely to ever be topped. Putting on the graduation goggles and expecting him to come home and lead Chicago back to the postseason feels ill-advised and woefully optimistic.

The four-time Gold Glover hasn't even been a 1.0 bWAR player since 2022 and injuries have taken their toll in recent years, keeping him below the 100-game threshold in each of the past two seasons. His 81 OPS+ this year marked his worst single-season showing since his rookie season with the San Diego Padres back in 2011. His once-sterling defensive reputation has tarnished, as well, as he more or less graded out as an average first baseman with New York in 2024.

He'll find a one or two-year deal somewhere this winter, but he's going to see a soft market with light interest given how he's performed and the injuries he's dealt with over the last two seasons.

As for Torres, he's also two years removed from an especially impressive showing - but he's also heading into his age-28 season, a clear difference between him and his teammate Rizzo. This season, the New York infielder finished with a 101 OPS+ and also graded out as a terrible baserunner and defender.

Given he hit a combined 49 home runs between 2022 and 2023, there will be interest out there, but he's not going to set any free-agent contract records. MLBTR pegs him for a two-year, $36 million pact - but admits he could get three or four years given his relative youth and lack of a qualifying offer.

Most of our attention will be on the moves the Cubs do (or don't) make in the weeks and months to come. But when you've got guys with ties to the organization like Rizzo and Torres, you can't help but keep an eye on them as the offseason progresses.