The Yankees’ offseason just got a whole lot more complicated.
Anthony Volpe, the young shortstop who was supposed to be a cornerstone of the Yankees’ infield, underwent shoulder surgery in October to repair a partially torn labrum-an injury he’d been playing through since May. The team expects him back sometime between April and May, but even that timeline leaves a significant hole at one of the most critical spots on the diamond.
That absence has triggered a high-stakes scramble in the Bronx. The Yankees aren’t just looking for a stopgap-they’re eyeing a potential splash, and they’re casting a wide net across the shortstop market.
According to league insiders, Bo Bichette is the name drawing the most buzz in Yankees circles. And they’re not alone.
The Dodgers are reportedly in the mix as well, setting up what could be a heavyweight bidding war between two of baseball’s biggest brands.
It’s not hard to see why Bichette is so appealing. He led the majors in both hits and doubles in 2025, and he brings a blend of offensive production and durability that’s tough to find at shortstop. He’s also just 27 and under team control through 2026, which makes him more than just a one-year fix-he could be the long-term answer if the Yankees end up moving on from Jazz Chisholm Jr. after next season.
There are other names on the board, too. Ha-Seong Kim, who opted out of his deal this offseason, brings elite defense and positional versatility.
And then there’s Corey Seager, the moonshot option. He’s expensive, he’s elite, and he comes with some risk, but when healthy, he’s one of the most complete shortstops in the game.
If the Yankees want to swing big, Seager is the kind of player who shifts the balance of power in the American League.
In the short term, José Caballero is the internal option to cover for Volpe, but the Yankees are clearly thinking bigger. They’re not just trying to patch a hole-they’re trying to make a statement.
This is a team that doesn’t want to limp into 2026. They want to charge in with momentum, and that means addressing the Volpe situation with more than just duct tape and hope.
But while the Yankees are hunting, the Blue Jays are bracing.
Toronto, Bichette’s current club, is facing a financial squeeze. With six players already on nine-figure contracts, there’s only so much room left in the budget. Bichette’s next deal is projected to land somewhere in the eight-year, $200 million range, and while the Jays want him back, they may not be able to match the kind of aggressive offers a team like New York can throw on the table.
That tension is already showing. On the same day Bichette rumors started heating up, the Blue Jays made a low-key move that could have bigger implications down the line.
They signed switch-hitting infielder Rodolfo Castro to a minor-league deal with a Spring Training invite. Castro hit 19 homers in Triple-A last season and is currently flashing more pop in the Dominican Winter League.
It’s a depth move, sure-but it also looks like a contingency plan. If Bichette walks, Toronto doesn’t want to be caught flat-footed.
So here we are: the Yankees need a shortstop, the Blue Jays might lose one, and Bo Bichette is suddenly at the center of a potential AL East power shift. The Yankees are operating with urgency, and the Jays are trying to hold the line. The next few weeks could define both teams’ futures-not just for 2026, but for years to come.