Inside the Astros

Report: Rizzo is Houston Astros' Top Free Agent Target

First baseman Anthony Rizzo is the Houston Astros' top target at the position according to reports.
Kade Kistner|
Report: Rizzo is Houston Astros' Top Free Agent Target
Report: Rizzo is Houston Astros' Top Free Agent Target

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Houston Astros

The Houston Astros will look to be big players in free agency, especially once the dust settles from roster protection measures that are due on Tuesday at 6 p.m. EST ahead of the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 7. 

One position that needs filling for the Astros is first base. Yuli Gurriel and Trey Mancini are both free agents. While Gurriel is a fan favorite, his age and decline in production could put his return on the back burner in lieu of other options.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Houston is prioritizing former Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo. 

Rizzo is 33 years old, slashed .224/.338/.480 with 32 home runs in 2022, and plays Gold Glove defense at first base. He brings four Gold Gloves and one Platinum Glove to the equation and he has proven he can still mash the ball.

At his age and production, a three to four-year contract for $20 million AAV sounds plausible. This is more than doable for the oft-financially conscious Astros. 

Rizzo would be joining a ready-made World Series contender while adding to an already superb defense and lineup. It makes sense for Houston to prioritize a player that profiles as Rizzo does. 

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

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  2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
  3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
  4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
  5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
  6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
  7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
  8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
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  10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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