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The New York Yankees have reportedly checked in on Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. On the surface, that’s just another big-market team poking around a dynamic talent to trade. But dig deeper, and the question becomes a lot more uncomfortable: What does that say about Anthony Volpe?
This isn’t about Cruz being moved to the outfield or playing second base. The Yankees already have Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ryan McMahon now in the infield mix. No, if New York is calling Pittsburgh about Oneil Cruz, they’re not just looking to add talent—they might be preparing to replace someone. And right now, Volpe is the only one in the crosshairs.
The Fall of the “Next Jeter” Narrative
It wasn’t long ago that Volpe was being talked about as the next cornerstone Yankee. A homegrown shortstop with leadership qualities and a strong work ethic? That was music to a fanbase still aching for the post-Jeter void to be filled.
And while his rookie year offered flashes of hope—21 home runs, 24 steals, a Gold Glove—this season has been a nightmare.
Since mid-June, Volpe has been one of the worst hitters in baseball. His OPS since June 13 sits below .500. His strikeout rate is rising. And his once-glued place atop the Yankees’ lineup has been anything but secure. At a time when the team desperately needs offensive production, Volpe has gone ice cold.
Enter Cruz.
The 6’7″ shortstop is no stranger to flaws—he’s batting .219 and strikes out more than you’d like—but he also brings game-changing speed, raw power, and a left-handed bat, something the Yankees sorely need. He’s clubbed 16 homers, swiped 33 bases, and posted a .739 OPS despite inconsistencies with the Pirates. And at just 26 years old, his ceiling remains sky-high.
The Yankees Might Be Tipping Their Hand
Yankees fans have heard this tune before. The team publicly supports its young talent while privately scouring the market for upgrades. Just weeks ago, rumors swirled about their interest in Eugenio Suárez to bolster third base. Now it’s Cruz—a player who happens to play Volpe’s exact position.
It could be due diligence. It could be the front office using leaks to spark motivation. But it could also be something more serious: an acknowledgment that the Volpe experiment isn’t working.
And if the Yankees do land Cruz? Don’t expect a position change. Cruz is most valuable at shortstop, and it’s hard to imagine a 6’7″ athlete with a cannon arm and 30-30 potential playing part-time or second fiddle.
In that world, Volpe becomes trade bait. Or a bench player. Or a Triple-A reclamation project. None of those outcomes were part of the plan when the Yankees handed him the keys in 2023.
The Yankees are reeling. They’re 14–21 since June 13 and 4.5 games behind Toronto in the AL East. They’ve lost six of their last seven to the Blue Jays. The offense needs a jolt. The clubhouse needs a message. And maybe the front office needs a fresh face at shortstop.
Getting Oneil Cruz from the Pirates might be that spark.
But if he is, Anthony Volpe might be the one who gets burned.
Alvin Garcia Alvin Garcia is a Puerto Rican sports writer for Heavy.com. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, with coverage spanning across all leagues. More about Alvin Garcia
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