Yankees insider hints at wild (and unfortunate) offseason Anthony Volpe scenarios

Would you look at that. Anthony Volpe got a cortisone injection for his injured shoulder, received ample rest, and immediately made an impact for the New York Yankees upon his return on Tuesday night. He went 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in the team's 10-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Volpe hadn't played a full game since Sept. 9 due to the partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. He suffered the injury back on May 3, only received one day of rest, and the Yankees have continued running him into the ground ever since. He's legitimately been one of the worst everyday players in all of baseball.

The Yankees had an out. They could have used the injury as an excuse. Heck, not even an excuse! A real reason! They could have put him on the injured list to allow him to rehab the injury instead of putting his long-term health at risk. They could have given Oswald Peraza more playing time at his natural position to potentially rebuild his trade value before the deadline.

Volpe isn't Aaron Judge. He doesn't need to be on the field at all costs. But for whatever reason, the Yankees have treated him that way. And now ... they're either going to pay the price or figure out another path? Per Yankees insider Bob Klapisch, Volpe will "likely need surgery over the winter". Klap also speculated the Yankees could consider trading Volpe in the offseason.

"Three injections in five months means Volpe’s injury hasn’t improved: It’s chronic. He’ll likely need surgery over the winter. The Yankees did him no favors in 2025. Nor did they have the guts to tell fans the truth about Volpe’s health or his true ceiling."

"We’ll see what happens next spring. Caballero is under club control through 2029. Hot-shot prospect George Lombard Jr. will also get a close look. Volpe could be in no-man’s land, assuming he’s even in pinstripes ... Whether the Yankees give him another chance in 2026 or trade him over the winter, the lessons shouldn’t be forgotten."

Is an Anthony Volpe trade coming this offseason for Yankees? Surgery? Both?

Now, not so fast on Jose Caballero. He's good, but he's not an everyday shortstop, as we've just seen with his recent slip-ups defensively and on the base paths. Plus, Aaron Boone prefers to use him as a utility option. With all the moves the Yankees have to make this offseason, it's unlikely a big-ticket shortstop is in the budget. If it is, great. If not, we're probably looking at a Volpe/Caballero platoon, and that's just fine as long as there's enough talent around them. Yankees fans are already aware how much better Volpe is when he gets rest. It could end up working in their favor if he's playing ~125 games alongside Caballero.

And also ... a trade? Who is taking Volpe? And you think the Yankees would sell him at his absolute lowest? He's about to finish his third full MLB season, which will arguably be his worst, and he may need surgery. What's the return there? An unranked prospect? No thanks. Just utilize Volpe correctly and the problem will be solved. He's not a starter. He's a toolsy depth piece.

Whatever happens, the Yankees created an uncomfortable conversation surrounding the man they anointed as the starting shortstop without opposition or any sort of challenge (beyond that one spring training battle with Peraza). It's unfair to him. It's unfair to the fans. And hopefully the inflection point soon arrives that turns this whole saga around.