The Yankees need as much infield flexibility in 2026 as they can get, especially with Anthony Volpe expected to miss time until May after offseason surgery. When the Yankees open their 2026 season against the Giants in San Francisco on March 25, Volpe is not expected to make the trip. With uncertainty surrounding the timeline of his recovery, the Yankees are likely to explore the market for infield help. In the shortstop market, one $186 million name stands out on every team’s radar, but the Yankees are reportedly being advised to stay away.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun mentioned that he’s heard Bo Bichette has been “quietly saying” he’d be open to heading to New York if things don’t work out with the Blue Jays. Bichette is hitting free agency at 27 after another strong year at the plate. He slashed. .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games. His 134 wRC+ ranked among the best for shortstops, cementing him as one of the league’s most reliable bats at the position.

While all of that is impressive, there’s one catch. It’s a big one. Even though Bichette’s preference for joining the Yankees is apparent, his defense remains a problem.

In 1,139 innings at shortstop, he posted -12 defensive runs saved and -13 outs above average. Those numbers aren’t just below average. They’re alarming for someone expected to land a deal worth seven years and $186 million.

The Yankees have been down this road before. Spending big on a bat-first infielder with defensive issues has cost them in the past. This time, they can’t afford another mistake. Not when they’re trying to balance the payroll and shore up the roster’s weak spots.

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Bichette looks like an appealing target overall. He is drawing interest from teams across the league, including the Dodgers, Mets, and Braves. He has a productive bat, prime years, and playoff experience. However, most scouts see him shifting to second base eventually. So, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. already entrenched there for the Yankees, it’s a move that makes little to no sense in the long term.

Even on offense, the Yankees can’t overlook the risk. Bichette’s success depends heavily on his timing and aggressive approach at the plate. Those qualities don’t always age well and can fade fast with injury. If his bat cools even a little, the rest of his value quickly unravels.

Instead of targeting Bo Bichette, the Yankees should go for in-house options

It may not sound like the flashiest move. However, the Yankees are better off waiting for Volpe to recover and using Caballero as a short-term fix rather than overspending on Bichette. Volpe’s bat cooled last year; he hit just .212/.272/.391, but he’s still a controllable player with real defensive upside when healthy. The team hasn’t lost faith in his long-term potential.

Only last month, despite Volpe’s injury news, Brian Cashman had said, “I believe in the player still. I think we believe in the player. It doesn’t mean we don’t play with, on any level, all aspects of roster assessments. He’s 24 years old. I don’t think the New York stage is too big for him. It’s just still finding his way.”

And let’s not forget about the long-term option waiting in the wings. Yankees’ top prospect George Lombard Jr., a 20-year-old, is moving quickly through the system and could be the Yankees’ full-time shortstop by 2027. That makes a big-money Bo Bichette deal feel both unnecessary and restrictive.

The wisest approach could be to do nothing for now. The Yankees should let Volpe complete his rehab, rely on Caballero as a temporary solution, and stay focused on the long-term plan. The Yankees simply can’t risk another expensive short-term gamble that leaves them back at square one.