The New York Yankees could look to trade Anthony Volpe to help the MLB roster ahead of the trade deadline.
New York opted to send Volpe down to Triple-A after his rehab assignment ended due to the play of Jose Caballero. George Lombard Jr., meanwhile, appears to be the future at shortstop, so MLB insider Jon Morosi believes New York could trade Volpe at the deadline as his path to the roster appears to be blocked.
“If we’re in July and Volpe is still in the minor leagues and the Yankees are still winning games and there’s a player out there that they need, and I’m another team that doesn’t have a long-term shortstop, I would like to see how Volpe looks as a potential long-term shortstop somewhere else,” Morosi said on MLB Network. “Because if Caballero is the guy, for now and maybe even the next several months, potentially into next year, what about George Lombard Jr. coming along?”
It’s a fair take from Morosi, as Volpe could be sought after by MLB teams, as he has proven to be an effective MLB infielder.
New York could fill an area of need for Volpe at the deadline, whether that’s the bullpen or another positional player. Regardless, Volpe’s future with the Yankees could very well be coming to an end.
Volpe was selected in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Yankees Explain Decision to Demote Volpe
After Volpe’s 20-day rehab assignment ended, New York optioned him to Triple-A.
Following the move to demote Volpe, Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained the decision to demote the shortstop.
“It’s acknowledging where we are as a club right now. It doesn’t mean somebody’s better or worse,” Boone said. “I think Anthony is going to have a long career and be a really good player in this league. His next step as a player is gaining that consistency offensively. Even through some of his struggles, I think he’s been a way better player than some of the narratives around him sometimes are.”
In the minors, Boone confirmed Volpe would play shortstop but could also move around the field.
“We’ll see. Right now, he’s going to play shortstop,” Boone said. “If we have those conversations as the days unfold, we’ll have them. But not right now.”
Volpe is hitting .271 with 1 home run and 6 RBIs in the minors.
Aaron Judge Comments on Volpe Decision
After the Yankees opted to demote Volpe, captain Aaron Judge made his feelings clear on the move.
Judge said it was tough that Volpe was sent down, but believes New York was put between a rock and a hard place.
“That was tough. Anthony’s my guy,” Judge said. “I know he’s going to be more motivated than ever to come back here. The team’s been doing well; Caballero at shortstop is just doing an amazing job, defensively and offensively. It’s kind of a tough position to be put in. How are you going to change things up?”
The Yankees are off to a 25-11 start.
Anthony Volpe Gets Bleak Update on Yankees Future After Demotion