Yankees Listed Among Top Suitors for All-Star Shortstop

Getty

Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees takes batting practice.

The New York Yankees have plenty to discuss this offseason, including their vision for the shortstop position soon.

Anthony Volpe will begin the 2026 season on the injured list after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. He will not swing a bat for several weeks, giving the injury time to heal. If Opening Day were tomorrow, Jose Caballero is the most likely candidate to start at shortstop for the Yankees.

Many fans called for the Yankees to promote their top-rated prospect, George Lombard Jr., to make his Major League debut. That would be a difficult ask for Lombard, who just turned 20 in June and is yet to reach Triple-A.

Yankees Listed as One of the ‘Best Fits’ for Bo Bichette

New York may turn to free agency to find a shortstop. Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette did not reach an extension with the AL East club during the season. He is the best unrestricted free agent available at shortstop in a relatively weak class.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden believes Bichette, although a shaky defensive player, could play third or second base for whatever team he plays for next. Bowden listed the Yankees as a possibility.

“He’s led the AL in hits twice in the last five years and has a career batting average of .294. He’s a below-average defender at shortstop, however, and several interested teams view him as an option for third base going forward,” wrote Bowden.

“His prime years have just begun and he’s one of the youngest free agents on the market, though he has dealt with several lower-body injuries the past couple of years,” Bowden added. “As long as teams have a clear sense of the health of his knee, Bichette will have plenty of suitors in free agency because he could be considered a fit as a shortstop, a third baseman, or a second baseman.”

By signing Bichette long-term, the Yankees would waive the white flag on Volpe’s future with the club, unless they prefer to keep him as a bench player. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters at his post-season press conference that Volpe should return to the field in late April or May, at the latest.

How Could Bo Bichette Help the Yankees?

Spotrac projects Bichette’s market value (AAV) to be just over $23 million. Bowden compared Bichette’s potential earnings to Willy Adames, who signed a seven-year, $182 million deal with the San Francisco Giants last winter. The Athletic’s senior writer predicts the impending free agent will sign for the same number of years as Adames, but will earn $7 million more.

For the Yankees, a contract like the one Bowden predicted for Bichette would likely be the biggest one they hand out this offseason.

Immediately, Bichette would become the leading option for the Yankees to bat leadoff. His ability to hit to all parts of the field should be a strength at Yankee Stadium, especially in left-center field. While Trent Grisham had a fantastic year as New York’s leadoff hitter, Bichette is a more well-rounded bat who hit 44 doubles compared to Grisham’s nine.

Conor Liguori is a sports journalist covering the MLB for Heavy Sports. Conor has covered professional baseball leagues like the KBO, NPB, CPBL, and the LBPRC in Puerto Rico. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University. More about Conor Liguori