New York Yankees Must Avoid This Regrettable Blockbuster Trade

The New York Yankees are probably just about done making significant moves this offseason, outside of maybe adding one or two bullpen arms.

Barring a drastic turn of events in the coming weeks, the roster is pretty much set after re-signing Cody Bellinger, for better or for worse.

Yes, the Yankees still have some obvious black holes offensively, but there really isn't a whole lot Brian Cashman can do to address them at this point.

So as much as New York fans would love for the Yanks to move on from Anthony Volpe, it isn't happening. At least not in the immediate future.

However, some recent trade speculation surrounding Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has some of the Bronx faithful hoping for a change.

Abrams' name has been floated as a potential trade target for the Yankees multiple times this offseason, and speculation has ramped up once again following the Nationals' decision to move MacKenzie Gore.

But would Abrams even be a wise idea for New York?

Yes, the former first-round pick made an All-Star appearance in 2024, but achieved it while slashing .246/.314/.433 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI. He then slashed .257/.315/.433 with 19 homers and 60 RBI this past season.

You know what Volpe did in 2025? He slashed .212/.272/.391 while hitting 19 long balls and driving in 72 runs. Sure, Abrams got on base more, and his 111 OPS+ was certainly superior to Volpe's 83. But is the offensive gap enough to make up for the night and day difference defensively?

Abrams is one of the worst defensive players in baseball. He posted a minus-6 DRS and minus-11 OAA this past year. In 2024, he registered a hideous minus-18 OAA.

Fun fact: Volpe was a 3.5 WAR player during Abrams' All-Star season while the Nats infielder was at 1.9.

I know everyone will point to 2025 as the reason Volpe should be fired into the sun, but he played most of the campaign with a torn labrum, and it was blatantly obvious that it adversely affected him both at the plate and in the field.

How else would you explain Volpe's descent from being a Gold Glove shortstop to a near-liability defensively?

Abrams is not Gunnar Henderson or Bobby Witt Jr. offensively. He is an okay hitter with some solid pop. That's it. He owns a lifetime .717 OPS, which is certainly nothing to write home about.

But you know what else he is? A major encumbrance in the field.

Considering that Abrams is just 25 years old and is under team control through 2028, the Nationals will ask for a king's ransom for him. That's especially considering he was a big piece of the Juan Soto return back in 2022.

The Yankees should absolutely not surrender substantial prospect capital for a player who is barely even average all around.

They're actually better off riding it out with Volpe in 2026 and hoping he makes a full recovery from surgery.

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