Yankees fans should riot if latest free agent rumor is true

New York Yankees fans better hope the latest free agency rumor is not true.

While the New York Yankees have a reputation as big spenders in free agency, this latest rumor suggests they are leaning towards going cheap at a marquee position.

The New York Daily News reports that while there is a robust shortstop market available in free agency, the Yankees are more inclined to go with a stop-gap option at the position than to pursue the likes of Carlos Correa or Corey Seager. This is because the Yankees are very fond of two middle infield prospects already in their organization: Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza.

Since star shortstops like Correa and Seager are looking for long-term deals, their contract demands seem to be at odds with what the Yankees want to do at the position in the long run.

New York Yankees: Who is Anthony Volpe?

Volpe is a 20-year-old prospect who had a terrific year at High-A. The former first-round pick by New York in 2019 slashed .294/.423/.604 during his second season in the Yankees organization. He is the Yankees’ top prospect and the No. 15 overall prospect in baseball. Peraza ranks third in the Yankees organization and is the No. 58 overall prospect. He played at Triple-A last season.

So with Peraza essentially one phone call away from getting to the big leagues and Volpe raking down in the minor leagues, it would make sense for the Yankees to not go big-game hunting at shortstop in free agency. However, the fanbase may not agree with that logic. This is a team that has not won an AL pennant in over a decade. They are starved for the Yankees to be a champion.

Though Correa and Seager may look good in pinstripes, they may not be joining the Yankees.