Yankees Could Put Former Top Prospect On Trade Block
The line comes from Just Baseball's Zach Cioffi in his Yankees arbitration projections.
A Thin Year Leaves Volpe's Price Low
Cioffi projects Volpe at $3.975 million in arbitration, a $500,000 raise from the $3.475 million he signed for in January, and he expects the Yankees to tender him a contract without a hearing.
The raise is small because 2026 was a short season for Volpe, who finished with 246 plate appearances after shoulder surgery in October, a start on the injured list, and 45 days on optional assignment.
He hit .245/.321/.336 with two home runs and 12 stolen bases in 70 games, after hitting .212 with 19 home runs in 153 games in 2025.
Aaron Boone on starting Anthony Volpe over Jazz Chisholm Jr., via @GJoyce9: "Just felt like it. I felt like I wanted to go with him today."
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) October 7, 2026
The Yankees optioned him to Triple-A in May, recalled him when Jose Caballero hit the injured list, then optioned him again on August 4, the day George Lombard Jr. was called up, before bringing him back September 9.
Since that return, he hit .286 with a grand slam and seven RBIs, and he spent time working at second base this year.
The Yankees Have To Decide What He Is
Volpe is 25, won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023, and has two arbitration years left after this one, 2027 and 2028, which is why another club could still see him as a buy-low or change-of-scenery candidate.
The shortstop picture has changed around him, though.
Caballero, who came over from Tampa Bay at the 2025 deadline, took over the job this year, and Just Baseball projects him at $4.075 million in arbitration after 14 home runs and 34 stolen bases.
MLB Trade Rumors wrote earlier this year that Caballero "might've simply pipped Volpe out of the job, leaving Volpe in something of an uncertain state within the organization."
Lombard, a top Yankees prospect at the position, was promoted August 4 and is another reason the team may be less willing to keep waiting.
A hypothetical swap for Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn has been floated, arguing a fresh start could help Volpe, though nothing suggests the two teams have talked.
The Yankees were just swept in the ALDS against Tampa Bay, so the decision will wait until after the postseason, with the tender deadline coming in mid-November.
