3 early extensions Yankees should try to sign right now after recent frenzy

Believe it or not, Anthony Volpe is a prime Yankees' extension candidate, too

While the first two may seem more clear, there's no denying that locking up Anthony Volpe long-term would be a wise move for the Yankees. Given the hype surrounding him as a prospect, the general perception has been that he's been a disappointing player in his brief major-league career.

That's true to an extent, but there have been flashes. In his rookie season, he flashed his power potential with 21 long balls on the year. Last season, his 6 defensive runs saved at shortstop ranked 10th in the league. When he gets on base, which certainly does need to start happening more frequently, he's recorded 24 and 28 steals in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively.

Yes, he owns a career wRC+ of 87, which might make you discount his delirious start to the 2025 season, but it's important to remember he turns just 24 years old on April 28, an age when many top prospects are just making their big league debuts.

Volpe is the riskiest of the three extension candidates, and that's exactly why it makes sense to extend him now. In doing so, the Yankees will spend more in the near-term, but would save tremendously in the long run if he comes close to reaching his full potential.

Even if he tops out as a slightly below league-average bat with stellar defense, at the shortstop position that's still a very valuable and expensive commodity on the open market. For example, the Chicago Cubs signed Dansby Swanson, owner of a career 96 wRC+, to a seven-year, $177 million contract.

The Yankees could lock up Volpe for his entire prime and still not even sniff that number, and there's a decent chance that Volpe can become an even better player than what Swanson has been. A Volpe extension would be an upside play for the Yanks, one that comes with minimal risk, given his position and defensive ability.

For years, the Yankees have been resistant to handing out early extensions, and the few they've given out have not all gone particularly well. However, as the current core ages and the baseball marketplace shifts, locking up these three players long-term would go a long way towards building a sustainable future in a city where the expectations are championship or bust every single year.