New York Yankees still have no clear plan at shortstop as Bo Bichette remains the only true free agent option

The New York Yankees are moving towards yet another crucial offseason, and once again, shortstop is right in the thick of it. What was expected to be a stable position has quietly morphed into one of the roster's major dilemmas. Anthony Volpe was considered the long-term fix, but last season showed some real weaknesses, both at bat and in the field.

The front office has shown their support for him, but injuries and a decline in performance have made that trust shaky. At the same time, the other teams in the American League East aren't just sitting back. Competitors are bringing in star talent, securing key players, and making bold moves. This situation is important because the Yankees are running out of time to be patient. They can't expect to win the division just by wishing for internal solutions to magically work. As free agency continues and choices become limited, the choice to stay put at shortstop could end up shaping the Yankees' whole season even before spring training kicks off.

New Yankees shortstop situation remains unsettled as Anthony Volpe prepares for shoulder surgery

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Yankees welcomed the 2025 season with great hopes for Anthony Volpe at shortstop after his promising rookie year in 2024. The Yankees' prospect, however, had a tough time in 2025 after plunging his performance drastically at the defense when he ended up with a .963 fielding percentage, the lowest among all qualified shortstops, and his 19 errors also put him at the top of the league.

On top of that, he also struggled with his batting average that remained below .250 and power that faded, thus, raising doubts as to his position in the ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌lineup.

Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was picked up in the middle of 2025 from the Miami Marlins, brings versatility to the team but is under contract until 2026 and is mainly fit for second base or the outfield.


Backup José Caballero, who came on board with a minor-league deal, offers good defense but lacks the hitting strength required for a starting position.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Cashman have consistently expressed their backing for Volpe as the starter, with Boone mentioning in a press conference on December 10, 2025, "Anthony's our shortstop. We're committed to his development," as noted by MLB.com's Bryan Hoch during a Reddit AMA.

This loyalty puts the position in a tough spot. As ESPN pointed out, "Volpe had a rough time at the plate in 2025 and his defense took a hit too," which shows the danger of keeping him around without making improvements. With Volpe set to have shoulder surgery that might keep him out at the start of 2026, the Yankees could be in for a hectic time, but so far, no big moves have come up.

Bo Bichette stands out as the top free-agent shortstop available after a strong 2025 season

Bo Bichette, a 27-year-old two-time All-Star with the rival Blue Jays, is clearly the best free agent available at shortstop. In 2025, he bounced back from a tough 2024 filled with injuries, posting a .311/.357/.483 slash line, hitting 18 home runs, driving in 94 RBIs, and achieving a 134 wRC+ across 139 games—ranking second among shortstops.

Even though he struggles defensively (-12 Defensive Runs Saved and -13 Outs Above Average, the lowest among qualified shortstops), his ability to make contact and a low strikeout rate of 14.5% make him a top-notch hitter.

Bichette's market piqued interest on December 17, 2025, when MLB.com's Mark Feinsand shared that the two-time All-Star has informed potential teams that he is prepared, eager, and capable of transitioning to second base, a position he played for the first time in his major league career during this year’s World Series.

Bichette himself spoke about the change before the Fall Classic, telling reporters, "To be honest, I brought it up. It was something that I felt like I could get ready for quicker than another position. I just want to be ready to help the team in any way that is afforded to me," as quoted by the New York Post.

This adaptability tackles his defensive shortcomings, as he finished at the bottom in Outs Above Average for the third consecutive year. Projections suggest Bichette could land a five-year, $150 million contract. However, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel has adjusted his estimate higher to reflect recent large deals, such as Pete Alonso's five-year, $155 million agreement with Baltimore.

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