Could wheeler-dealer Yankees replace Anthony Volpe at shortstop?

The New York Yankees, who recently traded for infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, are in the market for another infielder, the New York Post's Joel Sherman reported Monday.

Per Sherman, the ideal player is “a right-handed hitter with the ability to play shortstop if necessary.” If true, this might have implications for current New York shortstop Anthony Volpe. 

The Yankees’ former top prospect has struggled at the plate and in the field this season, hitting .215/.285/.403 with 14 home runs and -3 outs above average and totaling 13 errors. Adding another infielder would almost certainly mean the Yankees have other plans for Volpe.

Sherman reported Yankees GM Brian Cashman placed calls to the Tampa Bay Rays about utilitymen Ha-Seong Kim (.226 BA in 31 at-bats this season),  José Caballero (.227 BA) and Taylor Walls (.218 BA). The most intriguing of those names is Kim, who started the season on the IL and recently landed there again.

But Kim can be a difference-maker. His batting average has declined from its peak of .260 in 2023 (though still better than Volpe’s), but his on-base percentage is solid (.326 for his career). His defense also is top notch — he won a Gold Glove in 2023 at second base with the San Diego Padres and three Golden Gloves in the KBO, the South Korea pro league.

The two other utilitymen Sherman mentioned are replacement-level players. Of the three, Kim comes with the least club control — he holds a player option for next season and will be an unconditional free agent after 2026.

At .500 entering play Monday, the Rays (53-53) could be sellers or buyers at the Thursday trade deadline (6 p.m. Eastern). Tampa Bay is fourth in the AL East, but it is just three games out of a wild-card spot.

If the Rays aren't sellers, the Yankees could also explore deals for utilitymen Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins or Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kiner-Falefa played for the Yankees in 2022 and 2023.