Rangers trade rumor gives Yankees huge chance to rebound from Anthony Volpe mistake

A few years ago after the 2021 season, the New York Yankees were badly in need of a shortstop. And lucky for them! A number of All-Star options were there for the taking, ranging from Corey Seager to Javy Baez. The Yankees surely signed one of them, right? RIGHT??

They surely did not. Instead, they traded for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who isn't a true shortstop, and used him as the stopgap option for 2022 as they paved the way for the crown prince Anthony Volpe, who debuted in 2023 and has not been good ever since.

In the end, trading for IKF with the Twins actually paved the way for Minnesota to sign Carlos Correa. The Rangers wasted no time, signing Seager to a $325 million contract. Baez signed with the Tigers. Trevor Story joined the Red Sox. And in other big signings that could've helped New York, Marcus Semien landed in Texas, Freddie Freeman signed with the Dodgers, and Kevin Gausman signed with the Blue Jays.

Seriously ... what do the Yankees even do anymore if they are hardly even in the mix for a free agent group that talented?

But they can potentially amend the mistake they made all those years ago. With Volpe injured to start the 2026 season (coupled with the fact he probably can no longer be considered the surefire starter at the most important position on the field), the Yankees may have a chance to trade for Seager, as rumors surfaced that the Rangers are looking to cut payroll.

Yankees Rumors: Could Corey Seager trade be on the table for New York?

This could be a pivot off Cody Bellinger if the Yankees feel his market is getting too aggressive. With Trent Grisham already back in the fold for $22 million, how much more money can the Yankees realistically invest in their outfield, especially with Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones at their disposal?

Seager, previously believed to have interest in signing with the Yankees, has a no-trade clause, but the Yankees reportedly aren't on it, according to Dallas insider Evan Grant. He has a pretty steep $32.5 million AAV against the luxury tax and is owed $189 million over the next six years, taking him through his age-37 season. The numbers aren't great, no matter how you look at them.

But Seager is as impactful as it gets. Even though he's dealt with injury issues throughout his career (and most recently the last three seasons), he's accumulated a ridiculous 18.4 WAR over his last 344 games. Most importantly, he delivers in the clutch, is a dominant postseason performer, and his defense still remains well above average at shortstop. He's probably got a few years left at that position, and then the Yankees, if they trade for him, can shift him over to third once Ryan McMahon becomes a free agent after the 2027 campaign.

Predicting a trade package here is a bit tough, especially if it's going to represent a salary dump of sorts, but if that's the case, then Seager will be even more affordable from an asset perspective. The Rangers won't have prohibitive leverage, given their desire to become more financially flexible.

If Seager's genuinely out there and Bellinger's market eclipses the $200 million mark, the Yankees have some serious thinking to do. It'll just come down to whether they want to admit they were wrong on Volpe, which is a tall ask for the stubborn folks calling the shots.