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Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Yankees Must Call Old Rival for Perfect Anthony Volpe Replacement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Oct 18, 2025 9:22 AM ET

Back in the late 1990s, the Atlanta Braves experienced firsthand what a talented New York Yankees shortstop — at the time, future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter — can do to bring championships back to the Bronx.

Nearly 30 years later, the Yankees might need some help from the Braves to address shortstop and win their first World Series in the Aaron Judge era.

The Yankees announced earlier this week that Anthony Volpe underwent left shoulder surgery and will likely miss the start of next season. Volpe is expected to begin hitting in roughly four months, jeopardizing his availability for the Yankees’ March 25 Opening Day showdown with the San Francisco Giants.

If the Yankees started their 2026 season tomorrow, we imagine that the speedy José Caballero would start in Volpe’s place. However, we have a different idea in mind, one involving the Yankees making a play for veteran Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies.

Although Albies has only played second base in the majors, he’s worth inquiring about if the Yankees believe he can handle shortstop — especially with two seasons left on his contract.

The Yankees Must Consider Trading for Ozzie Albies

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies makes perfect sense for the New York YankeesBrett Davis-Imagn Images

It’s easy to forget just how solid a player Albies is, even if he’s fresh off posting a career-low .671 OPS in 157 games. Albies has hit .266 with 157 homers, 582 RBIs, and a .774 OPS since debuting as a 20-year-old in 2017.

Albies has provided the Braves with 24.1 bWAR, and he’s drastically improved his plate discipline in recent years. In fact, his 8.2% walk rate marked his highest since his rookie season, and he’s cut his strikeout rate from 18.7% in 2021 to a career-best 14.1% this past year.

The biggest problem, though, is that Albies has never played shortstop. Atlanta moved him to second base in the minors, given Dansby Swanson’s presence, and he’s remained there since.

As for Albies’ contract, both years are team options worth $7 million, making him an extremely affordable option with a proven track record and the switch-hitting power stroke needed to thrive at Yankee Stadium.

Ozzie Albies' 10th blast of the year ties it up in Queens pic.twitter.com/wKu1m1R7eH
— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2025

Assuming that the Yankees would feel comfortable putting Albies at shortstop, that could also set up conversations regarding a potential Volpe trade, though that’s another conversation entirely.

Then, there’s an alternative move that we strongly suggest the Yankees don’t consider: acquiring Albies and having him stick at second could allow them to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to center field. However, we believe that Chisholm is best suited at second base, and the 27-year-old proved that he should be a significant part of the Yankees’ long-term plans.

Albies shouldn’t cost the Yankees a top prospect like Spencer Jones or George Lombard Jr., but we doubt the Braves will give him up for nothing. Perhaps a deal headlined by right-handed starter Ben Hess (No. 6 on the Yankees’ MLB Pipeline Top 30 prospects) and infielder Dylan Jasso (No. 23) could sway Atlanta to part ways with Albies.

At this point, the Yankees don’t have much to lose in thinking about it, especially not after another failed season. Whatever it takes to end a 16-year championship drought, right?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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