NEW YORK, NY – MAY 22: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees remained on the sidelines even as the most coveted free agents agreed to new contracts with big market teams.
Shortly after news surfaced that Kyle Tucker had agreed to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bo Bichette agreed to an offer from the New York Mets and JT Realmuto agreed to return to the Philadelphia Phillies. Meanwhile, the Yankees have yet to bring in a high-dollar addition as they continue to negotiate with Cody Bellinger.
“The New York Yankees are entering the final phase of Aaron Judge’s prime, but their front office isn’t acting like it this offseason,” Colin Keane wrote for NESN. “New York’s ongoing talks with Cody Bellinger (who might land elsewhere) are happening within the context of a painfully underwhelming offseason for Yankees fans.”
New York Yankees’ No. 1 Prospect George Lombard Jr. Could Replace Anthony Volpe
Though fans have grown accustomed to the Yankees rebuilding their roster each winter with star acquisitions, the team might be changing tactics for the near future, at least at one key position. Because even as shortstop Anthony Volpe struggled last year, the Yankees have stuck with him and could be hoping he is merely keeping a spot warm for their star prospect.
“Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr., a five-tool shortstop who was promoted to the Double-A Somerset Patriots last season before his 20th birthday, is quickly entering the big-league picture,” Randy Miller wrote for NJ.com. “He’s already their No. 1 prospect and is ranked 22nd in Baseball America’s top 100 and No. 25 in MLB Pipeline’s.”
Depending on how Lombard develops, he could be called up to the Yankees at some point in this next season — particularly if Volpe is unable to show some improvement from last year. Volpe was met with boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd more than once last year as he struggled at the plate and he’s likely to miss the start of next season after undergoing a shoulder procedure.
New York Yankees’ Future Shortstop Sends Anthony Volpe Message
When he was asked about his projection as the Yankees’ franchise shortstop replacement for Volpe, Lombard was clear that he doesn’t dwell on what could happen too far into the future.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” Lombard told Miller. “A million things can happen between now and then, a lot of completely unexpected things, so I just always try to stay away from looking too far ahead into the future and focus on my day-to-day stuff. I trust that whatever’s in my road ahead is going to figure itself out like everything else does.”
Lombard also praised the reigning everyday shortstop specifically.
“Yeah, Volpe was great,” Lombard said of working out with the veteran last year, per Miller. “We spent a lot of time together. We worked out together. He helped me out a lot learning the game, learning things on defense, learning the lifestyle, learning to be a leader. He’s a great dude, and I’m really grateful for all that he has helped me so far.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterchawaga/2026/01/18/yankees-young-star-offers-clear-response-on-replacing-anthony-volpe/
