Though the New York Yankees currently lead the American League with 271 runs scored, they are still waiting for Anthony Volpe’s bat to come around.
Since a red-hot opening week, Volpe has posted a dismal .218/.310/.346 line, looking like the same hitter who has disappointed at the plate over his first two Major League Baseball seasons. Over his first 365 games, Volpe has a .229 batting average and an OPS of just .672, passable marks for a Gold-Glove shortstop but underwhelming marks for a former top prospect.
With infield prospect George Lombard Jr. already in Double-A at just 20 years old on the strength of an extremely advanced bat, time is running out for Volpe to prove he can develop into the hitter the Yankees once thought he would be. If the Yankees really do believe Lombard Jr. is the shortstop of the future, Athlon Sports’ Jake Elman believes the Yankees could flip Volpe to the Atlanta Braves for second baseman Ozzie Albies.
“The Yankees have stuck by Volpe throughout his struggles, from missed opportunities at the plate to inconsistent fielding,” Elman wrote “But if the Yankees ever considered moving in another direction, they’d be wise to call the Atlanta Braves about a potential Volpe-Ozzie Albies swap.”
Though Albies has been a fixture for the Braves for the last nine years, the three-time All-Star is beginning to look like a change-of-scenery candidate. He posted a career-worst .707 OPS during an injury-plagued 2024 season and has seen that number drop further to .619 in 2025. Still just 28 years old, a switch to the short porch in Yankee Stadium may be just what Albies needs to regain his power stroke.
For the Braves, Volpe would be an immediate upgrade over current shortstop Nick Allen, who has a career .550 OPS over parts of four seasons, and they have enough firepower in the lineup to make up for Volpe’s offensive inconsistencies. Swapping Ablies for Volpe would also help them in the long term, as Volpe still has four years of team control while Ablies will be a free agent after the 2027 season if both of his club options are picked up.
While Elman notes a trade is unlikely during the season, it could be worth revisiting in the off-season if both players continue to struggle at the plate.
More MLB: MLB writer outlines blockbuster Dodgers trade for Paul Skenes