The New York Yankees could look to move on from Anthony Volpe this offseason.
Volpe has struggled defensively throughout this season, while his bat has taken a step back. With that, his future as the team’s long-term answer at shortstop is up in the air, and he could be a trade candidate this offseason.
MLB analyst Thomas Carannante of YanksGoYard believes the Yankees will have to have an uncomfortable conversation about Volpe’s future.
With all the moves the Yankees have to make this offseason, it’s unlikely a big-ticket shortstop is in the budget. If it is, great,” Carannante wrote. “If not, we’re probably looking at a Volpe/Caballero platoon, and that’s just fine as long as there’s enough talent around them. Yankees fans are already aware how much better Volpe is when he gets rest. It could end up working in their favor if he’s playing ~125 games alongside Caballero.
“And also … a trade? Who is taking Volpe? And you think the Yankees would sell him at his absolute lowest? He’s about to finish his third full MLB season, which will arguably be his worst, and he may need surgery. What’s the return there? An unranked prospect? No thanks,” Carannante added. “Just utilize Volpe correctly and the problem will be solved. He’s not a starter. He’s a toolsy depth piece. Whatever happens, the Yankees created an uncomfortable conversation surrounding the man they anointed as the starting shortstop without opposition or any sort of challenge.
Volpe is under team control for three more seasons, so it would be a surprise if the Yankees trade him. But perhaps New York adds some competition at shortstop for Volpe next season.
Volpe Dealing With Shoulder Injury
Volpe is currently battling a shoulder injury, but is playing through it as the Yankees are looking to rally to win the AL East.
The starting shortstop had a cortisone shot in his left shoulder as he’s been playing through a small tear in his labrum for months.
“He’s aggravated it, maybe a couple of times, Sunday being one of them and each time it’s kind of added to — I think it’s just a swelling issue,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So I think he said something the other day about it. We MRI-ed it. It shows a little bit more of a labrum tear but nothing that we think is going to land him on the IL or nothing that he can’t continue to play through. He already feels better today. I don’t expect it to be an issue but that being said, if he goes out there and aggravates it again, we may have to look at it more.”
Volpe is hitting .211 with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs this season. But, in his last 19 at-bats, he’s hitting .316 with 2 RBIs.
Volpe Focused on Helping Yankees Pennant Race
Although Volpe is dealing with an injury and some struggles, he is playing through it.
The shortstop says he wants to help the team win and have a deep playoff run. Volpe believes the Yankees have all the tools to go on a deep run and wants to be part of it.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot with it,” Volpe said. “I feel like from the beginning, the communication and the trust has been really good between me, Boonie and the [athletic] trainers, getting me to a spot where I feel like I can go out there and play. It’s all hands on deck for the rest of the season. We have the squad to win a World Series, so I just want to be a part of that.”
The Yankees are holding onto a Wild Card spot and are two games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the top spot in the AL East.
Analyst Expects Yankees to Have ‘Uncomfortable Conversation’ on Volpe’s Future