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With the regular season winding down and the New York Yankees fine-tuning their playoff strategy, third base has become a focal point of discussion. Ryan McMahon has seen the majority of action at the hot corner this year, particularly after Amed Rosario's role diminished due to struggles at the plate and in the field. José Caballero filled in during McMahon's brief injured list stint but has since returned to a backup role. McMahon's offensive woes and a defensive decline from Gold Glove caliber to merely average have opened the door for alternatives in October.
While Caballero remains the most obvious replacement, manager Aaron Boone hinted on Wednesday that Anthony Volpe, primarily a shortstop, is being considered. This could simply be a depth move, but it might also signal that the team is evaluating whether Volpe gives them the best chance to win at third base.
Why Volpe at Third Base Could Work
Volpe's defensive prowess is his strongest asset. Over three of his four major league seasons, he has posted positive defensive metrics while handling the demanding shortstop position. From 2023, 2024, and 2026 combined, he accumulated 25 Defensive Runs Saved, 21 Outs Above Average, and a 14 Fielding Run Value, ranking among the league's best. His only subpar year was 2025, when he played through a torn labrum after a dive on his non-throwing arm in May. His swift recovery following labrum surgery this season suggests that down year was an anomaly rather than a decline.
With George Lombard Jr. grading out even better defensively at shortstop in the minors, Volpe was demoted in early August and asked to learn other positions. Since returning to the majors, he has logged 93 innings at second base, recording 2 DRS and 1 OAA while looking smooth and reliable. Most players who can handle shortstop often excel at second and third, and the front office likely hoped for that when they moved him off shortstop this summer.
Arm Strength Concerns
Volpe's range is his standout tool. Since debuting in 2023, he has generated 10 runs of value from his range alone, surpassing his total FRV of 8. Excluding his injury-plagued 2025, his range value jumps to 15 FRV, while his arm and double-play turning are both below average. At third base, his range would undoubtedly help him snag grounders and prevent doubles down the left-field line. However, his arm strength, which has consistently been mediocre, raises doubts. According to Statcast, his average throw speed has hovered between 81 and 82 mph, placing him in the 30th percentile. For context, the average shortstop throw is 86.2 mph, and the average third baseman's is 84.9 mph. At 81-82 mph, Volpe would rank 38th among 53 third basemen with at least 50 throws, just above Kazuma Okamoto.
Looking at third basemen in Volpe's arm-strength range, the results are mixed. Hao-Yu Lee (-3 DRS, -6 OAA, -4 FRV) and Max Muncy of the Athletics (-11 DRS, -6 OAA, -5 FRV) have struggled, while Alex Bregman (15 DRS, 9 OAA, 7 FRV) and Caleb Durbin (13 DRS, 5 OAA, 5 FRV) are among the best despite lacking elite velocity. This suggests that arm strength may be less critical than range. A strong first baseman who can scoop throws also helps; Paul Goldschmidt excels in that area, while Luis García Jr. is mediocre. If the Yankees believe arm strength is not a dealbreaker, Volpe could be a viable postseason option at third base.