The New York Yankees have generated uncertainty among their fans and analysts during the planning of the 2026 season, where they will be under pressure to be protagonists, but there is also the need to end a 16-year World Series drought. The organization is asking for a solid roster that can end the dominance of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Now the eyes are on Anthony Volpe because the organization seems determined to keep him. However, sources close to the Yankees such as Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, suggest that this could be Volpe’s last chance to prove that he can be a reference in the Bronx.
The shortstop does not yet represent an economic value for the Yankees because he is in his first year of arbitration and although his defensive and baserunning performance in 2024 contributed to his 3.5 fWAR, the real question arises in his offensive performance and whether he will be able to maintain a good level when he returns from his shoulder surgery.
Anthony Volpe 2025 statistics: Defensive and offensive problems raise alarms for Yankees
The recent 2025 season was a difficult one for Anthony Volpe in which he barely managed 19 home runs and an OPS of .663, ranking in the third percentile in batting run value according to Baseball Savant. He also showed weaknesses on defense with 19 errors, the most in the entire league.
If Volpe continues to perform poorly on offense and defense, the Yankees could begin to rethink his future, exploring other alternatives in which Jose Caballero could be the beneficiary by having more appearances on the diamond. That is why the 2026 season will be decisive for Volpe, where he will have to prove that he has what it takes to be in one of the most demanding organizations in MLB.
Anthony Volpe’s MLB future: 2026 a make-or-break season for Yankees shortstop
The shoulder surgery that Anthony Volpe recently underwent has left doubts about his availability and physical ability for the start of the 2026 season, in which the Yankees will be monitoring Volpe’s consistency in hitting, defensive security and leadership on the diamond to define what will happen in the future within the shortstop position in New York.
Anthony Volpe is now recovering from his surgery, but when he is available for the Bronx Bombers he will have to show that he has the qualities to be in MLB and in one of the teams with the most pressure. Every hit and defensive play could define whether he has a future in the Bronx or whether it is better to let him go.
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