A new MLB rumor offers the New York Yankees a five-time All-Star as a potential replacement for Anthony Volpe.
For a second straight season, the Yankees won 94 games and nearly stole the AL East title away from the Toronto Blue Jays in the final days of the season. Despite losing Juan Soto last winter, New York still had a very good roster. However, if there was one clear weakness they had that wasn’t addressed before the trade deadline, it was shortstop.
Despite the promise he showed as one of their best prospects in this decade, Anthony Volpe has come nowhere close to reaching his potential in the Bronx. Sure, he has some solid pop. But even with the help of a torpedo bat this season, the 24-year-old hit just .212. Making matters worse is that his defense has regressed badly over the last two years.
If the Yankees really want to get back to the World Series in 2026, they probably need to upgrade the SS spot. Well, on Thursday, a potential option emerged in a new MLB rumor. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Texas Rangers “are in listening mode on star shortstop Corey Seager.”
Making the case for an NY Yankees trade to get Corey Seager
The two-time World Series MVP is on the books through 2031 and for $189 million. Furthermore, he dealt with injury issues in the last three seasons. However, Passan noted that the Rangers are not desperate to trade him, but would not mind getting out from under that money. It is part of why they traded Marcus Semien late last month.
But unlike Semien, Seager hasn’t shown a clear age decline just yet and is still a very good player. Not only is he a far better player than Volpe — he had a .271/.373/.487/.860 slashline last season and hit 21 homers in 102 games — but he is a skilled defender at an important position in the infield.
Another plus in a potential Yankees trade for Seager is that he is a winning player. He played a prominent role in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ 2020 championship and in the Rangers’ first World Series win two years ago.
