A familiar name, one carved in the hearts of a long-suffering fandom, started to reappear in baseball circles. The Chicago Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo is once again making the headlines, and this time with his comeback. Is this really happening? Well, as per the whispers, he can be one of the prospective players for the club dealing with an injury. This time, is it more than just a passing mention?

Speculation crackled in the air. Which team would gamble on this former icon? Once a three-time All-Star and a four-time Golden Gloves winner, Anthony Rizzo is finding his way back. Who can acquire him? His former club, the Cubs, or is there any new clubhouse?

The whispers are there in the insider’s office, and one name is coming up. \Speaking on the show “Fair Territory,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal did a surprising reveal. He said, “I’ll give you another name too.” “This guy’s not playing, but he’s out there. Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo remains a free agent, and I’m quite certain it will take him some time to get into shape, but again this is a season-ending injury to Casas, and who knows they might want to take a shot along those lines.” Yes, it’s the Red Sox! And what makes them look at him? An injury!

The injury bug has found a new home, and this time, it’s the Boston Red Sox. Their ace player, Triston Casas, suffered a season-ending knee injury during a game against the Minnesota Twins. Now, he has been moved to IL and is likely to miss the entire season. Since then, the clubhouse has been desperately looking for a solution. Can Anthony Rizzo be the one?

It’s not like the Red Sox haven’t looked internally. Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro are there, and both have exhibited signs of promise. But a challenge that neither provides the long-term consistency nor offensive power Boston sorely needs. Anthony Rizzo, no doubt, is a great player, but there are concerns. Batting .228 with eight home runs across 92 games in 2024, he showed a clear drop from his greatest years.

Also, did you know Rizzo has played for Boston? He was selected in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB draft. His origins in Boston go deep despite finally being sent to the San Diego Padres in 2010 as part of the Adrian Gonzalez blockbuster transaction.

Years later, a turn of events might bring the ex-top prospect back to Fenway Park? Moreover, are the Red Sox ready for this gamble? With the last few games, the bullpen is already in question, and is acquiring Anthony Rizzo really a logical solution?

Boston’s bullpen: Another game slips away

First, the injury, now the series loss for the Red Sox, the problems are not fading anytime soon. Boston’s latest series loss to the Minnesota Twins highlights a worrisome trend that is growing all too often. Though they start well and have early leads, the squad finds it difficult to keep going in the middle innings, which causes close losses.

In the most recent game, Boston entered the seventh inning with a 3-1 lead but watched the bullpen fail, letting Minnesota come back to win 5-4. This is the third time in six games that the Red Sox have given up a lead in the late innings, so it stresses a recurring problem with finishing off games.

Amid the team’s challenges, individual efforts provide some comfort. Wilyer Abreu‘s 3-for-4 performance, which included a solo home run in the eighth inning, helped him break out of a slump. Carlos Narváez‘s two-RBI single and Ceddanne Rafaela‘s two hits helped to show the possibilities in the lineup. Still, bullpen problems eclipsed these accomplishments, as relievers Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock together surrendered four runs in three frames, wiping out the club’s lead and drive.

Management’s decisions have also drawn criticism. Questions arise from the decision to remove starter Garrett Crochet after five innings, ignoring a good performance, and the following dependence on a bullpen that has underperformed in high-leverage scenarios. Fans have also been confused by pinch-hitting choices like choosing Abraham Toro over Trevor Story. The team’s recent decline has been caused by these strategic decisions, along with the bullpen’s unreliability.

The Red Sox’s problems are piling up, in all this, is the signing of Anthony Rizzo something they will consider?