It’s the end of an era for the Cubs.

Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs’ longtime first baseman and the face of the franchise since 2012, has been traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for a pair of prospects — OF Kevin Alcántara and RHP Alexander Vizcaino. Vizcaino (9) and Alcántara (12) are both top-15 prospects in the Yankees’ minor league system, per MLB Pipeline.

“All good things come to an end,” Rizzo said just outside the home dugout at Wrigley Field. “I’m just focused on putting that Yankee uniform on. Just another cool opportunity to play for another historic franchise. This will always be home for me.”

Rizzo leaves the Cubs after 10 seasons where he slashed .272/.372/.489 with 242 home runs and 784 RBI in 1,308 games.  He was with the Cubs in the lowest of lows when the team lost 101 games in 2012 and was a part of the team as it ascended from NL Central cellar dwellers to an MLB powerhouse.

While he’s had many memorable moments with the franchise, the lasting image for many Cubs fans will be him catching Kris Bryant’s throw to record the final out in the 2016 World Series that gave the franchise its first title in 108 years.

“Right now It’s going to be hard for me to talk about it, just because of the emotions,” Rizzo said. “I’ll have a legacy in here forever no matter what.  This fanbase, that’s what matters most. Leaving this place better than what I found it.”

In return, the Cubs picked up a pair of high-upside prospects.

Vizcaino spent the 2020 season as the Yankees’ alternate side after a 2019 season where he saw his fastball velocity jump from the low-90s to the 94-98 mph range. Scouts raved on his changeup which sits in the low 90s.

He uses a slider as his tertiary pitch that sits in the low 80s.

Alcántara signed as an international free agent for $1 million in 2018 when he was 16. MLB Pipeline wrote this about the outfielder:

“Built like a younger Dexter Fowler, Alcantara now approaches 200 pounds and could have plus tools across the board once he fills out and gains more experience.”

In rookie ball this season with the Yankees, he was slashing a whopping .360/.448/.520 in 8 games. In 2019, Alcántara was the only 16-year-old on a minor league team in the U.S.

It was the second trade of the day for the Cubs, who dealt Ryan Tepera to the White Sox.

“I love [the fans],” Rizzo said. “It will always be nothing but love from my family, to our foundation. It was the best 5 years, 10 years, of my life. The memories here will last forever and that’s why I always cherished every moment. Now, I’m leaving with no regrets.”