Anthony Rizzo enjoying his Bronx stay, but will it endure beyond Yankees' October run?

BOSTON – If the wave of trade deadline speculation had become a reality, Anthony Rizzo would have started at first base Tuesday night for the Red Sox instead of the Yankees.

“That was definitely the hottest rumor,’’ Rizzo said before the AL wild card game at Fenway Park.

On a cool, early October night, Rizzo thought back to mid-summer and the Chicago Cubs’ sell-off of stars from their historic 2016 world championship club.

Kris Bryant went to the Giants.

Javier Baez went to the Mets.

Rizzo was getting texts and phone calls from friends and associates in July, prepping him for an eventual trade to the Red Sox that never came together.

“That’s why we say they’re just rumors ‘til they happen,’’ said Rizzo, somewhat surprised that the Yankees had swooped in before the July 30 deadline.

But there wasn’t time to be overwhelmed.

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Welcome to the Bronx 

Rizzo had to catch a flight to Miami and join the Yankees on a road trip, at a time when the Yanks could have been trade deadline sellers.

As tough as it was to be traded in midseason, Rizzo got to enjoy a few days at his Miami-area home, able to drop off some of his belongings and see his family.

And the Yankees players and staff made the transition “kind of seamless,’’ Rizzo said of the welcoming he received from his new teammates.

“Being able to fit in right away was my biggest thing,’’ Rizzo said of “coming in and being myself’’ on a club whose core “has been here for a while.’’

Going forward, might the lefty-hitting Rizzo stay awhile or is this just a fleeting appearance in pinstripes?

Rizzo is eligible for free agency at season’s end and that end was potentially nine innings away, with Tuesday’s elimination wild card game.

“As far as staying here long term, that’s not in my hands,’’ Rizzo said. “This game is kind of crazy,’’ so Rizzo was “just looking forward to’’ the wild card game “and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’’ to participate in a win-or-else game involving the Red Sox.

“This is the best rivalry in baseball,’’ Rizzo said.

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Thinking ahead 

Rizzo found himself batting leadoff for the Yankees on Tuesday night, due to his ability to get on base and his five hits in nine at-bats against Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi.

Perhaps a long October run might reinforce Rizzo’s value to the Yankees as an offensive presence and a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman.

Currently, the Yankees’ 2022 first base situation is unsettled.

Luke Voit is under Yankees control through 2024, but the slugging, right-handed hitter was heavily shopped at the trade deadline once Rizzo was acquired.

Physically, Voit is now dealing with left knee inflammation, causing the Yankees to transfer him to the 60-day injured list – a move that ended his 2021 season.

A year ago, in the pandemic-shortened 60-games season, Voit led the majors with 22 home runs and finished ninth in the AL MVP balloting.

Given that Gleyber Torres is back at second base, LeMahieu might wind up as the Yankees’ first baseman if Gio Urshela remains at third base.

That opens the possibility of trading for a shortstop or signing one of the stars in a top-flight free agent class, including Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Cory Seager.

But that's a story for November. Tuesday, the Yankees and Rizzo were just trying to preserve their October hopes. 

Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.

Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera