The New York Yankees are seeking a new first baseman after opting not to exercise Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million club option for 2025. While New York could still bring Rizzo back on a more affordable deal, particularly if it believes he’ll strengthen their World Series chances, the most likely scenario is that a new starting first baseman will take the field on Opening Day.
Rizzo’s performance has declined sharply since a late May 2023 collision with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. Since the injury, Rizzo has posted a dismal 70 wRC+, which ranks as the second-worst among all first basemen with at least 500 plate appearances. Only Elehuris Montero of the Colorado Rockies has been less productive offensively.
Across the board, Rizzo’s 2024 offensive numbers have plummeted to career lows, and he ended the year with a staggering 133 consecutive plate appearances without a home run. The Yankees will need more power from their next first baseman, and nothing in Rizzo’s performance over the past year and a half indicates he will return to his previous form.
One power-hitting option on the market is New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso. Alonso would be a natural fit for the Yankees with his power, but he won’t be included here as a potential Rizzo replacement. His salary demands will likely exceed the Yankees’ budget, especially with the team prioritizing a big spend on Juan Soto. If Soto signs elsewhere, there’s a slim chance Alonso could emerge as a fallback option, but it remains unlikely he will don pinstripes next season.
Brian Cashman and the Yankees have had conversations with Scott Boras about Pete Alonso pic.twitter.com/gw1WS4hlw4
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) November 5, 2024
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said last week at the GM meetings in San Antonio that he had a “brief conversation” with agent Scott Boras about Alonso. However, it’s important to note that a general manager inquiring about a player through an agent does not necessarily signal genuine interest — checking in with agents about available talent is a routine part of the job.
With all that in mind, let’s look at the first base options the Yankees will likely consider for the 2025 season.
Free agents
Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
For a team not looking to make a significant investment in Alonso, Walker would be the next best option at first base. Widely regarded as the best defensive first baseman in the game, he’s also been one of the most consistent hitters over the past three seasons with the Diamondbacks, finishing with an OPS over .800 in each season. While Walker will turn 34 at the start of next season, which raises some concerns about a long-term deal, a three-year contract would be an ideal fit.
That said, there are reasons to believe Walker’s age won’t be a limiting factor just yet. His performance metrics actually improved in 2024 compared to 2023. His average exit velocity climbed from 88 mph in 2023 to 91.2 mph in 2024, placing him in the 82nd percentile. His hard-hit rate jumped nearly 8 percentage points, and his swing decisions also showed progress: his chase rate decreased, while his in-zone contact percentage improved.
The Yankees need both stronger defense and more power at first base. Walker checks both boxes and would be a no-brainer acquisition — especially if they could secure him on a two-year deal with an option for a third. Even on a standard three-year contract, Walker is the type of player the Yankees should be aggressively pursuing on the market.
Carlos Santana, Minnesota Twins
We’ve already discussed the age concerns with Walker, but now we turn to a player who will be 39 in early April. However, Santana shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, he finished with a 114 wRC+, his second-best mark since his 2019 season with the Cleveland Guardians. He also hit 23 home runs, tied for his second-highest total since 2019. Like Walker, Santana is widely regarded as one of the best defensive first basemen in MLB.
With Rizzo’s absence, the Yankees are losing valuable leadership in their clubhouse. Santana could easily fill that void, as he’s known for his strong presence and leadership on and off the field. Given his age, the Yankees could likely secure him on a one-year deal with a club option for a second year, making him an affordable and strategic addition.
Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
Goldschmidt had the worst season of his potential Hall of Fame career in 2024, but it’s possible he could find success elsewhere in 2025. Goldschmidt finished with an 85 wRC+ at spacious Busch Stadium and a 113 wRC+ in road games. His struggles against fastballs over the past two seasons is a concern and a reason to believe he won’t become the same player he once was.
A cheap one-year deal would not be a bad investment to consider if the Yankees strike out on their bigger targets.
Trade candidates
Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians
Naylor will become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season, making him a prime trade candidate for the Guardians, especially if they don’t plan to sign him to a long-term deal. Unlike Soto, who was also a one-year rental trade chip, Naylor won’t come at nearly the same price due to his lesser pedigree.
That said, Naylor remains an intriguing option for any team considering him. He has posted three consecutive seasons as an above-average hitter, including a career-high 31 home runs this past season. Naylor is also a frequent pull hitter, which makes him an ideal fit for Yankee Stadium. Statcast projects that if Naylor had played all of 2024 at Yankee Stadium, he would have hit 34 home runs, compared to just 27 at Progressive Field.
Josh Naylor comes through!#ForTheLand | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/Cq5hUUXZse
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 19, 2024
Depending on the trade capital required, Naylor could quickly become the Yankees’ top target.
LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants
The Giants are anticipating a payroll reduction for 2025 and plan to explore trading some of their major-league talent to create additional financial flexibility. Wade will make around $5 million this season before becoming a free agent at the end of 2025.
Wade doesn’t come with the power as some of the other hitters listed here, but the lefty is one season removed from finishing in the 83rd percentile in pulled fly-ball percentage and 17 home runs in 2023. The Yankees need a leadoff hitter next season with the expected departure of Gleyber Torres. Wade finished 2024 with a .380 on-base percentage, making him an ideal candidate to hit in front of Soto, assuming he’s re-signed, and Aaron Judge.
Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees had interest in Díaz at this year’s trade deadline, but the Rays ultimately held on to their leadoff hitter and first baseman. Since joining the Rays in 2019, Díaz has been one of the best hitters across baseball. He’s owed $10 million this year and has a $12 million club option in 2026 that does not come with a buyout.
The Rays should be better this season with their pitching department getting healthier, so it’s not a given that they move Díaz this offseason, but if he is available, the Yankees should once again be interested. Like Wade, Díaz would be the Yankees’ leadoff hitter.
Nathaniel Lowe, Texas Rangers
The Rangers currently don’t have a TV deal for 2025. It’s been suggested that they could look to lower payroll ahead of next season to account for their television contract uncertainty. Lowe is projected to earn $10.7 million, making him a possible candidate to be dealt if the Rangers want to shed payroll.
Since debuting with the Rays in 2019, Lowe hasn’t finished any of his six seasons as a below-average bat. He had a 121 wRC+ last season, the second-best of his career. Given his high salary, it’s possible the Yankees would not have to give up much prospect equity to land Lowe.
Internal options
Ben Rice
Cashman said Rice has “some serious slug and on-base percentage” in his offensive profile, which encourages the organization about him being a possible Rizzo replacement. But they’re also strongly considering external options, which seems to indicate Rice is a fallback option to be the club’s starting first baseman.
Rice struggled to find consistency after getting called up when Rizzo broke his arm, but the underlying metrics were beyond encouraging. It would make sense for the Yankees to keep developing Rice and at least have him as a bench option.
Oswaldo Cabrera
Cabrera had limited action at first base at the end of the season and in the playoffs, but he’s best suited as a super-utility option rather than being locked in as a starter.
(Photo of Paul Goldschmidt: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
