Anthony Volpe may have just sealed his Yankees exit with Scott Boras alignment

Anthony Volpe has gone from future Yankees cornerstone to likely also ran to playoff riser to buried in the minors. Now, he seems to have reemerged as a key cog in another postseason run, something that would've been unfathomable back in late August.

Though he hasn't been an entirely different player since taking the place of an injured Jazz Chisholm Jr. down the stretch (he batted .265 with a .695 OPS in September, hardly unfamiliar territory), the vibes of Volpe's second base tenure have been alternately colored. He's come up big in spotlight moments, which continued in Game 1 against the Red Sox, with a lined single and well-placed bunt for some late-game insurance.

The bottom line is that perception is half the battle. Volpe has given no indication that he's anything better than a below-average bat with a solid-and-sometimes-excellent glove, but he's fitting in far more seamlessly in this last-ditch chance to stick with the Yankees, and has had a few showcase moments to boot.

What better time, then, for Volpe to plan for the future? Ahead of Game 1, it was announced that - with two years of team control remaining - Volpe would be hiring Scott Boras to represent him in future free agent endeavors. And just like that, Volpe's reappearing future in the Bronx dissolved to nil, no matter how many fist pumps he enjoys alongside George Lombard Jr.

Anthony Volpe's future free agency goals don't seem to align with Yankees' priorities

Volpe will be a free agent in the winter of 2028-29, and will spend two more seasons with the Yankees, unless he is traded. That change-of-scenery possibility seems less likely these days, and Chisholm Jr.'s departure this offseason will likely open another door for him.

Even before he partnered with Boras Corp., though, the Yankees' eventual free agency decision seemed quite clear here. Volpe has accrued 9.5 bWAR in three full seasons, one of which was compromised by lingering shoulder trouble, and a partial campaign this year. His career 83 OPS+ has been fueled by yearly marks of 81, 86, 81, and 84. Volpe's consistency has been remarkable, but it hasn't been the kind that is typically rewarded.

The time is now for him to change that narrative, and this pre-series decision will certainly play a part in a perception shift. Not the type that keeps him in pinstripes, though.

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