Poll: Will Anthony Volpe Be the Yankees' Shortstop in 2026?
The Yankees had a solid year, despite not meeting the high expectations of their fans. Gerrit Cole didn't pitch for the team, and Juan Soto signed elsewhere, but they still won 94 games with key additions like Max Fried and Cody Bellinger. However, not everything went smoothly for the Yankees, especially considering the postseason outcome. Some young players, like Austin Wells and Luis Gil, took steps backward in 2025. But the player who best exemplifies this is shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Volpe was once a top-15 prospect and won the Gold Glove in his rookie season. Yet, he's never been able to achieve a league-average slash line at the plate. This season, his defense declined significantly, with an OAA of -7, one of the worst performances in the sport. This poor defensive play, combined with a .212/.272/.391 slash line (83 wRC+) in 153 games, raises concerns about his ability to handle the infield's most crucial defensive position.
Volpe's struggles can be partially attributed to a partial labrum tear, which he played through most of the season. Before the injury, he had a .237/.328/.456 slash and 119 wRC+ through April. Post-injury, his performance dropped to .205/.255/.374 for a 74 wRC+. Despite undergoing surgery, he'll start 2026 on the injured list.
The Yankees now face a challenging decision. They might consider moving on from Volpe or bringing in a player to handle most of the shortstop duties while Volpe takes a smaller role. However, the weakness of the incoming class of shortstops makes this decision complex. Bo Bichette is the top prospect, but he has defensive concerns and is better suited for second or third base.
The trade market offers limited options, with CJ Abrams having questionable defense. Without a clear upgrade, the Yankees must choose between Bichette, a defensively flawed solution, or internal candidates. Jose Caballero and George Lombard Jr. are potential internal options, with Caballero earning praise for his work on both sides of the ball. Lombard, a top-100 prospect, spent most of 2025 at Double-A and might need more time to develop.
MLBTR readers are invited to vote in the poll: Will Volpe be the solution at shortstop next year? Will they bring in a free agent or trade for someone? Or will an internal candidate take the job from Volpe by the end of next year? The poll and comments section await your input!
