The Yankees may not be making the loudest noise this season, but they’re still stacked. This new-look squad is leaning on youth, speed, and energy, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe leading the charge. If these two click, the Yankees could have one of the most electric 2B-SS duos in the league. Could they even outshine the team that’s being crowned the new king of the MLB? Don’t count them out just yet!

The Yanks are all armed up with the young soldiers to dethrone the king. The soldiers themselves are confident enough. Chisholm recently gave a shout-out to Anthony Volpe, predicting a wild season for him. Yes, last year’s figures suggest that the Yankees might have gotten an effective 2B-shortstop combination this year. So, is this too bold to assume Volpe and Chisholm are the best bets for the Yankees this year? What does it mean for the new-look Yankees going forward?

Chisholm & Volpe: The best double-play tandem in the making?

Anthony Volpe had a stunning time last year, amassing 12 home runs, 60 RBI, and 28 stolen bases with a .243 batting average and .657 OPS. His Game 4 heroics in the 2024 World Series—where he became the first player to notch four RBIs and two stolen bases in a single Fall Classic game—were a glimpse of his potential under pressure. Slotting Volpe into the middle of the Yankees’ lineup seems like a no-brainer.

“I think we could be the best shortstop-second baseman in the league, definitely defensively. And I think we are probably going to turn the most double plays in the league, too,” said Chisholm on Anthony Volpe. While time will test the statement by Chisholm, his current spring season outing with Volpe is going on the expected route. During the spring training game with the Phillies on Thursday, Volpe made the play by forwarding to Jazz Chisholm Jr., who took a strike that doubled up the Phillies’ infielder Rodolfo Castro. That’s the level of athleticism and collaboration this partnership is offering to the Yankees this year. 

The Yankees set their sights high this year

“You saw Jazz at third base … putting him back at second base at a position he’s comfortable with, he’s a really solid defender, a great athlete. He just makes the unbelievable plays,” said the Yankees’ pitcher Carlos Rodon during Thursday’s game. The Yankees lagged in defense last year, whereas the Volpe-Chisholm partnership is offering reliability this time. This also means that the second baseman for the Yankees is Jazz Chisholm this year. The veteran DJ LeMahieu is well past his prime, and Chisholm is ready for the position. 

The Yankees also got Oswald Peraza behind Anthony Volpe for shortstop, and suddenly, it looks like the Yankees made some smart moves to challenge the benchmarks this year. Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm, and DJ LeMahieu at the bases, Volpe at SS, and Jasson Dominguez and Aaron Judge in the infield and outfield. Does that make a contending team for the Yankees? Yes, it is. It would still be too soon to declare Volpe and Chisholm as the best duo in the league, but the coming months will prove it. 

The Yankees are shaking things up—ditching the old-school Steinbrenner blueprint for a fresh, fast, and fearless approach. And guess what? It’s starting to get interesting. Could this revamped squad push through and make some serious noise this season?

What’s your take on Volpe and Chisholm’s partnership? Drop your thoughts below!