Blue Jays hold multiple keys to Yankees' Anthony Volpe depth issue

If it wasn't already evident the New York Yankees needed added insurance for Anthony Volpe, during the bleak midpoint of his development process, Wednesday's surgery reveal upped the ante significantly.

Anyone who watched Volpe fall on and pop his non-throwing shoulder in early May knew something was significantly wrong. That theory only gained credence as he scuffled through providing league-worst offense between cortisone shots. The stability was gone.

The issue wasn't 100% responsible for his stumbles — after all, his bat speed improved and his defensive range somehow receded — but it clearly affected him. The Yankees allowed him to play through the issue all year, taking the slings and arrows of an aggrieved fanbase throughout the process, despite a nagging injury that easily could've led to a shutdown of sorts. Very smart and good behavior.

While Volpe should theoretically be ready for Opening Day, the Yankees have admitted that his own healing process may dictate different availability. That means Jose Caballero, while an excellent piece, cannot be their only shortstop solution this offseason.

There might be a solution up north, as the overcrowded Toronto Blue Jays infield has a potential Rule 5 Draftee on the outside looking in after — say it with us — an injury-marred season that provided more questions than answers.

Josh Kasevich, currently MLB Pipeline's No. 12 Blue Jays prospect, must be protected or left on the chopping block this December. He hit .325 with an .815 OPS in 41 Triple-A games last season, but barely participated this year, as a back injury sapped his power across three levels of rehab, resulting in a .173 Triple-A average in 29 games.

In the AFL, though, he seems back to his old self. The 24-year-old righty is back to drilling balls at a consistent exit velocity over 100 MPH. Will the Jays risk losing a near-top-10 prospect because of an MLB glut and an abnormal season? If so, the Yankees should prepare to buck their recent trend of abstaining and use their Rule 5 Draft pick/active roster spot on Kasevich.

Yankees could use Rule 5 Draft pick on Blue Jays' Josh Kasevich

What's the worst-case scenario? Volpe's completely healthy and raking by March and the Yankees can't spare a 26-man spot on Kasevich, so they pass him back to where he came from anyway? The active roster spot they'll have to use is the rub. They can't just stash him on the 40-man the way they did Braden Shewmake last year. Still, the juice seems worth the squeeze here.

Of course, if they don't trust Kasevich's back or Volpe's recovery, they could always plunder Toronto in a different manner and make Bo Bichette a free agent offer he can't refuse.