The perfect Yankees trade candidate exists and the latest news suggests it's possible

It is objectively crazy to say aloud, but Anthony Volpe is projected to make nearly $4 million in arbitration as the New York Yankees approach the 2026 season — his first year of such eligibility. He will not be ready until closer to June, we would guess, after the details of his shoulder injury/surgery were revealed in October. Even if he was ready, he shouldn't be starting shortstop moving forward, but we know he will be. The organization cannot quit him.

But what if there was a high-profile replacement that wouldn't cost the Yankees money? Yes! Hal Steinbrenner's favorite! But that means Brian Cashman will have to surrender high-profile prospects, something he hates to do even though none of them pan out.

If there was ever a time to amend past wrongdoings, it's before the impending lockout, which is set for next December. That means the Yankees need to make their game-changing additions now before a moratorium on transactions is put in place, as the owners and players union argue over who will make more money over the next decade or so.

There aren't many attractive options to spend on in this year's free agency, but there's work to be done on the trade market if the right buttons are pressed. And one of those buttons should be LA Angels shortstop Zach Neto, if he's attainable.

After the latest news that Neto changed his representation, it's quite possible the Angels and Arte Moreno wouldn't mind getting maximum value for him via trade if they don't want to pay top-of-market dollar for a shortstop when the time comes. As a CAA client — the closest thing to being repped by Scott Boras — Neto is now expected to play his way into free agency and let the chips fall where they may.

Neto is one of the more promising all-around players in the game and is what the Yankees envisioned Volpe to be — a five-tool player who is competent and discplined. Neto's been particularly impressive on a dead-to-rights Angels team, while Volpe has floundered while being surrounded by stars in New York.

Over his first three MLB seasons, Neto is hitting .247 with a .756 OPS, 108 OPS+, 58 homers, 173 RBI and 61 stolen bases in 367 games. He's logged 11.8 WAR over that span, as his sterling defense has propped that metric up significantly. The 24-year-old is well on his way to stardom, and is on the same trajectory as Volpe. But, as you can see, it's night and day. Volpe is a Double-A player compared to Neto's capabilities.

Again, we have no idea if the Angels would consider this. They still have another four years of control over Neto as he earned "Super Two" status, meaning he will get four years of arbitration eligiblity. He is projected to make a shade over $4 million (similar to Volpe) for the 2026 season.

So what do we say here? George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones and a top prospect pitcher? Perhaps the Angels consider that. We don't know. But the Yankees should get the conversation started, and then they can figure out next steps with either how to rid themselves of Volpe or deemphasize his role in order to keep his arbitration costs at bay through 2028.