With Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting free agency, the Yankees will have a spot for Anthony Volpe in their infield, assuming the Yankees let Chisholm walk.
Volpe looked like a different hitter after coming back from his demotion. He hit .265 after being recalled, and while his OPS was not amazing, it was better than before and he was at least hitting for a decent average. He also hit a game-tying home run in the American League Division Series, but a fan interference call limited him to a double. An offseason of continued work should only help him more, and the Yankees need him now more than ever.
Volpe could easily slot in at second base, but the Yankees also need to do something about Ryan McMahon at third base. The team could slot José Caballero there, but they need a bigger upgrade. The move they need to make is moving Volpe to third base and adding a second baseman.
Why not leave Volpe at second base and add a third baseman? Well, it's going to be easier to find someone to play second base this offseason. Anthony Rendon and Alec Bohm are the top third basemen in this year's free agent class, and there are no real trade candidates there right now. However, at second base, Luis Arraez, Brandon Lowe and potentially Jeff McNeil will all be available. Not to mention, both Miami Marlins middle infielders could be on the trade block.
It won't matter who the Yankees bring in or at what position if Volpe reverts back to how he was playing before being sent down to Triple-A. However, if he can at least be a guy who plays solid defense and gets on base at a league-average level, he would be an upgrade over what the Yankees got from McMahon this year.
Moving Volpe to third base and signing a bat like Brandon Lowe would do wonders for the Yankees' offense, and it's a move they need to make. The team will likely make a decision on where they want Volpe to play after they start making moves in free agency.