In the midst of a season full of expectations, the New York Yankees are facing a problem that is hard to ignore: their defense is failing and the main culprit is Anthony Volpe. The young shortstop, who came to the team with the label of a future Gold Glove winner, now leads a statistic that no player wants, as he is the co-leader in errors committed in all of MLB with 13, tied with Willy Adames of San Francisco.
His most recent blunder came in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, adding another blemish to a campaign where the criticism has not stopped. Fans and commentators have lost patience, calling for his removal from the starting lineup or to be considered as a trade chip in the transfer market.
Aaron Boone defends Volpe, but the numbers contradict him
Despite the shortstop’s poor form, manager Aaron Boone still trusts Volpe: “We talked about some additional mistakes,” he told the media. “I get it, that’s what separates someone who wins a Gold Glove from someone who doesn’t. It’s still top notch, but he’s made some plays that have generated a lot of noise”. However, the patience of the staff seems to be out of line with that of some fans who see their team falling short of championship expectations.
The situation is further complicated when looking at offensive figures because Volpe is currently hitting .212/.284/.391, well below what he showed in 2024. For a team looking to compete at the highest level, a drop-off both defensively and offensively could jeopardize their aspirations of reaching a World Series.
Trade rumors: Could the Yankees move Volpe before the deadline?
With the trade deadline on July 31 approaching, the Yankees have been linked to several possible solutions and although the shortstop position is not a priority, Volpe’s level could force the team to look for alternatives. Manager Aaron Boone has been clear that New York’s needs are a third baseman and pitchers with a starter and depth to the bullpen.
From Seattle, journalist Matthew Schmidt has suggested that the Yankees might try to acquire Otto Lopez, while other analysts have suggested a mega-deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with names such as Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B), David Bednar (RP) and Mitch Keller (starter) coming to light as possible options to bolster New York.
The Yankees will have to improve to fight in October, and that path begins on defense and the decisions made by the front office in the coming days to see if they can repeat their presence in the World Series
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