Yankees Predicted to Poach Braves' Shortstop As Anthony Volpe Replacement

Getty

The New York Yankees, as is the case pretty much every offseason, are under a magnifying glass once again, as they continue their quest to win a World Series for the first time since 2009.

They fell short of that quest again in 2025, and now are in offseason mode, where New York can make the additions to greatly improve its roster. The Yankees’ front office has a bunch of internal decisions like what to do with Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, and Luke Weaver. However, with shortstop Anthony Volpe’s underperformance at the plate and his injury status up in the air, the Yankees are now predicted to sign former Atlanta Braves middle infielder Ha-Seong Kim.

More MLB on Heavy: BREAKING: Mets Acquiring Rangers’ Marcus Semien in Blockbuster Trade

Should New York Consider Signing Ha-Seong Kim?

In a recent 2026 Opening Day lineup predictions story, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicts that Ha-Seong Kim will be the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop and slot in as the No. 9 hitter:

“With Anthony Volpe expected to miss the start of the season while he recovers from shoulder surgery, the Yankees could explore an outside addition like Ha-Seong Kim, or they could go with speedy José Caballero as the everyday guy until he returns.”

Getty

Now, if the Yankees do go and sign Kim, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Anthony Volpe’s position is gone, but it will certainly put more pressure on him to perform. Kim was limited to just 48 games in 2025, and he was picked up on waivers by the Braves in August. He hasn’t been that productive with the bat, but neither has Anthony Volpe. And Jose Caballero isn’t the best option either.

The shortstop free agent class this offseason is dangerously thin after the Blue Jays‘ Bo Bichette. Ha-Seong Kim is pretty much the next best option, and after that, it’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

More MLB on Heavy: Braves-Pirates Trade Idea Sends All-Star Starter to Atlanta

Will Anthony Volpe Be the Yankees’ 2026 Shortstop?

This is the million-dollar question among the Yankees’ organization at this time. It was discovered that Anthony Volpe was playing on a torn labrum for most of the season, and shortly after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, it was announced that he was getting surgery, and his status for Opening Day was up in the air.

Volpe’s time with the New York Yankees has been pretty rough. In 472 games with New York, he has an OPS+ of 83. He can run into a home run every so often, but he strikes out at an extremely high rate (150+ strikeouts in all three seasons with the Yankees).

It’s clear the Yankees want to explore other options at such a premier position, but those options are thin at this moment. In 2025, Volpe hit .212 with 19 home runs and an OPS of .663.

More MLB on Heavy: Dodgers-Red Sox Trade Idea Sends Wilyer Abreu to LA in Return for Promising Pitcher