The New York Yankees are off to a great start this season. They sit atop the American League East with a 16-9 record, and are fresh off sweeping the Boston Red Sox.
And they hope to get some reinforcements soon with the returns of Anthony Volpe, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodon. Volpe, who tore his labrum last season, is currently in Triple-A, but has recently surfaced in recent trade rumors. A recent MLB mock trade by SI.com’s Ryan Shea features the Yankees trading Anthony Volpe to the San Francisco Giants for Luis Arraez in a player-swap deal. Is that something New York would consider?
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Yankees-Giants Trade Prediction Swaps Anthony Volpe for Luiz Arraez
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 19: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees reacts after a double against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
This is an interesting trade idea to dissect, but Shea explains why Arraez would be a good fit somewhere in the Yankees lineup:
“Arraez arrives after a 2026 start of .300 AVG, .685 OPS, 0 HR, 6 RBI in 23 games, continuing his profile as an elite contact hitter. In New Yorkâs deeper lineup, his RBI and run-scoring chances should improve slightly, but his fantasy value remains very category-specific: elite batting average, low power, modest counting stats. He becomes a high-floor piece who stabilizes weekly production but doesnât offer much upside beyond AVG leagues.”
Anthony Volpe has been a controversial player in New York for the past three years. He’s played three big-league seasons, but as a former top prospect, he’s yet to break out in a way that’s pleased the Yankees faithful.
A new beginning could help Volpe fulfill his full potential. As for this hypothetical trade, Luis Aarez is on a one-year, $12 million contract but provides a much better hit tool than Volpe, who strikes out a lot (150+ times in the last three seasons), and maybe slightly better defense.
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Is This a Deal the Yankees Would Make?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 21: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees celebrates his fifth inning solo home run in the dugout against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on June 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Anthony Volpe’s name has swirled around MLB trade rumors for the past year now.
In this instance, the Yankees likely want to see how he returns off the shoulder surgery to determine their future plans with him. He just started a Triple-A rehab assignment, but should be rejoining the team soon.
However, if Volpe struggles in his opportunities in the majors this season, the rumors might start getting louder about a potential trade.
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