The New York Yankees wasted no time in their offseason pivot after losing superstar Juan Soto to a historic contract with the New York Mets.
Since Soto made his decision, the Yankees have added former Most Valuable Player Award winners Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, veteran southpaw starter Max Fried and two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams. But there is one area of the roster that could remain a concern for a team determined to return to the World Series in 2025.
With infielders Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres now off the Yankees, they face some questions around the diamond. Jazz Chisholm Jr. might move to second base to fill in for Torres with DJ LeMahieu becoming the everyday third baseman. But that solution might fall short offensively, compared to some possible outside additions.
Proposing a more dramatic infield shuffle for Last Word on Sports, Nick Prasad proposed a surprising trade idea that would swap a Yankees infielder and prospect for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette.
“Bichette would be a good investment on the infield and in the lineup, especially if he can maintain health,” Prasad wrote. “How do we get him to the Bronx? A packaged deal would include a main infielder such as (Anthony) Volpe or (Oswaldo) Cabrera and a prospect.”
Whether or not the Yankees were to offer Volpe or Cabrera could make a significant difference to the Blue Jays. Volpe is a former Gold Glove Award winner who has racked up 60 RBI in each of the last two seasons, while Cabrera has served as more of a utility option for the Yankees. But Bichette could mark an upgrade over either one, glossing over any shortcomings at third base in 2025.
He’s been a two-time All-Star in his six-year career with the Blue Jays, though he saw an offensive slump in 2024 that dragged his numbers down across the board. If the Yankees feel like a change of scenery would help him return to form next season, the final one of his current contract, they might feel like a trade to bring him in makes sense. Particularly if they can land him for Cabrera and a prospect, hang on to Volpe and move their former shortstop to second base.
“Currently, Anthony Volpe is a hot topic,” Prasad added. “This may be a key piece for the Yankees to possibly either move over to second base or trade. Why move to second base? To make room for a veteran trade.”
An arrangement with Chisholm at third, Volpe at second and Bichette at shortstop would seemingly answer the Yankees’ looming infield question and could complete the team’s pivot away from Soto and toward a more comprehensive roster in 2025. But it seems like a longshot.