Anthony Rizzo explains why he “definitely wanted to go back to the Yankees.”

February 19, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) speaks to media during a news conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports / © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

If Anthony Rizzo Looking back on his short-lived free agency in MLB, he makes the point of reuniting with the Yankees.

“I was dying to come back here,” the veteran 13th-year first baseman, who in November agreed to sign a two-year, $40 million contract with a club option for the 2025 season, said Sunday at Tampa’s spring training session, Florida. “It was (our) first choice to be here. We loved where we lived last year. We loved the whole vibe of the city off the field and it’s top notch to be able to turn up at Yankee Stadium every day We were on the verge of turning down a qualifying offer and knew it could be a long time in the winter and I really wasn’t interested anymore, just with the last two, three years of the chaos of COVID, lockout, all the variables.

“When the contract came and we felt comfortable with it, we definitely went for it.”

Rizzo, who turns 34 in August, has a .224/.338/.480 cut in 2022 with 32 home runs and 75 RBI in 130 regular-season games.

“Huge — immediately became a priority,” the Yankees manager said Aaron Boone said to get Rizzo signed. “I think everyone saw Anthony come in and become a leader on this team, play well here, rooted himself with his teammates and the organization and felt like this is a place he wanted to be, but also just the left-handed pace, the defender he is, the leader he is.

“He’s such a good player for us. So I would say it was absolutely a priority.”

Last offseason, Rizzo remained a free agent until March 15, when he signed his two-year, $32 million contract with a get-out clause for the 2023 season.

In 49 regular-season games with the Yankees in 2021, Rizzo has .249-.340-.428-cuts with eight home runs and 21 RBI.

The Yankees originally landed Rizzo in a July 29, 2021 trade that sent RHP Alexander Vizcaino and from Kevin Alcantara to the Chicago Cubs.

“Ultimately, this is where we really wanted to go,” Rizzo said last March. “It’s just a great fit for trying to win a World Series. That’s all this is about and that’s the best thing a player could ask for, to be on a team that’s fighting for victory in the final game of the postseason.”

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