https://hudsonreporter.com/sports/yankees-trade-rumors-2025-volpe-williams-veterans/ Yankees Trade Rumors 2025: Volpe, Williams, and Veterans in Midseason Talks - May 26, 2025 The New York Yankees are in a tough position as the 2025 MLB season moves toward the trade deadline. Four of their well-known players—Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, Anthony Volpe, and Devin Williams—could be traded. But inconveniently, the rumors come at a time when the team is dealing with both injuries and changes in performance. So, let’s break it down, player by player, and explain why each one might be traded, who could be interested, and what it would mean for the Yankees and their future. Giancarlo Stanton Could Be Heading to the Mariners To start with, Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees’ designated hitter, has not played yet this season. He’s been on the injured list due to injuries in both of his elbows. Still, according to Zachary Howell from Clutch Points, Stanton could be traded once he’s healthy again. Howell suggests the Seattle Mariners might be interested, which makes sense when you look at their needs. The Mariners have never made it to the World Series and last reached the playoffs in 2022. Before that, they hadn’t appeared in the postseason since 2001. They need power, and Stanton could give it to them. Even though Stanton is often injured and might never play a full season again, Howell believes he still brings value. He points out that Stanton “outplayed almost every other Yankee” during the team’s run to the World Series last year, meaning if he’s healthy, he could do the same for another playoff team. In his place, Ben Rice has done very well, and that is key as the Yankees now have several strong hitters: Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez. They have the potential to make Stanton unnecessary, especially if Rice keeps hitting well. It’s also worth remembering Stanton’s power. In 2018, during his first year with the Yankees, he hit a home run at 121.7 mph – still the hardest-hit home run in MLB history. Stanton began his MLB career with the Miami Marlins (then called the Florida Marlins) in 2010. His best season was in 2017, when he hit 59 home runs, drove in 132 RBIs, and had a .281 batting average. That year, he won the National League MVP. So, if this trade happens, the Mariners would be getting a player with real history and proven ability—if he’s healthy. Stroman’s Injury Actually Increases His Trade Value Next, we have Marcus Stroman, a starting pitcher who signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees before the 2024 season. Right now, he’s injured with a left knee problem and has been out since April 11. In his only three starts this season, he went 0–1 and gave up a shocking 11.57 ERA. Even so, Bob Nightengale from USA Today says Stroman’s trade value is going up, not down. The reason is very specific. Since he’s injured, he won’t be able to pitch 140 innings this year, and if he doesn’t hit that number, he can’t activate his player option for 2026. That’s key because many teams were worried during the offseason that trading for Stroman could lock them into paying him $18 million in 2026. Now, if a team trades for him in July, they’ll only have to pay what’s left of his $18.5 million salary for this year. There’s no long-term risk. Manager Aaron Boone explained Stroman’s struggles by saying, “He just couldn’t really step on that front side like he needed to.” Boone compared pitchers to race cars, saying that even one small problem can throw off everything, from command to control. So while Stroman doesn’t have a return date yet, teams will be watching. If he gets healthy, even partially, he could become one of the more valuable trade pieces by July. Anthony Volpe Trade Talk: Risk or Reward? Anthony Volpe is another name being discussed, though no real trade has been confirmed. He’s the Yankees’ shortstop and has been with the team since 2023. He’s only 24 years old and has shown strong advanced stats. He has an 8.2 bWAR over his first 364 games, which is very good. But there’s a problem: his traditional stats don’t look great. His career batting average is .228, and his OPS is .672. That has upset some fans, especially when he struggles in big moments. Still, he’s improved in 2025. As of Tuesday, Volpe has a career-high .745 OPS in 192 plate appearances and 1.5 bWAR. That ranks second among Yankees hitters—only Aaron Judge has more, with 3.7. Some experts have imagined a trade between the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves: Anthony Volpe for Ozzie Albies. Albies is 28 years old, has made three All-Star teams, and has played his entire career in Atlanta. This season, though, he’s been struggling, too. He has a .225 average, five home runs, 17 RBIs, and just 0.2 bWAR in 204 plate appearances. He’s also under a very affordable contract. He signed a seven-year, $35 million deal in 2019, and the Braves have two team options after that, both with $4 million buyouts. That makes him a budget-friendly All-Star. But the trade isn’t simple. The Yankees don’t have good shortstop depth. They tried moving third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera to short, but he got hurt with a severe ankle injury. Jazz Chisholm is another option, but he hasn’t played shortstop since 2021. There’s one more factor: top prospect George Lombard Jr. could take over next year, but he’s struggling too. At Double-A Somerset, he started the season going just 6-for-33. So, while a Volpe-for-Albies trade is tempting, it would leave the Yankees very thin at shortstop in 2025. It might make more sense to explore this idea again at the Winter Meetings in December. Devin Williams Might Be Dealt to Phillies After Struggles Finally, we have Devin Williams. The Yankees traded for the two-time All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers before the season. But so far, things haven’t worked out. In 19 games, Williams has a 7.31 ERA. That’s especially bad, considering he gave up the same number of earned runs in his last two full seasons combined. Because of this, he’s already been removed from the closer role. Luke Weaver has taken his place. Now, the Yankees are thinking about trading him. One proposed deal, suggested by Garrett Kerman at Clutch Points, would send Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Yankees would get outfielder Jordan Viars and right-handed pitcher Andrew Baker. The Phillies are in a tough spot after their closer, José Alvarado, got hit with an 80-game PED suspension. He also won’t be allowed to play in the postseason, which gives them a strong reason to go after Williams. Williams is still showing some signs of life. His changeup is still effective—it’s holding hitters to a .209 expected batting average. In his last five outings, he hasn’t allowed a run and has struck out the side twice. He’s also in the final year of his contract, which pays him $9 million. That makes him a low-risk option for the Phillies. Plus, a reunion with Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham could help. Cotham was with Williams during his breakout season in 2023. If Williams keeps improving, the Yankees might decide to hold onto him. But if he slips again, they may be quick to move him for young talent.
