The Anthony Volpe Conundrum: When Promises Meet Performance

From Gold-Glove Rookie to High-Error Liability

Anthony Volpe burst onto the scene in 2023, winning the AL Gold Glove at shortstop as a rookie and delivering stellar postseason performances, including a memorable Grand Slam and perfect stolen-base start. That season, he embodied the "future of the Yankees."

Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative has flipped. Volpe now leads the American League—and ties for MLB—in errors, tallying 17 mistakes so far. His most recent gaffe? A brutal, airmailed throw to first in a blowout loss to Boston, sending fans into a fury.

Offensive Struggles and Fan Frustration

Volpe’s offensive woes compound the issue. He’s been mired in a deep slump—recently hitting just 1-for-25 with 10 strikeouts and a .167 BABIP, prompting audible jeers from the Bronx crowd. Reddit fans don’t mince words:

“He's currently the worst hitter in baseball … and leads the league in errors in 2025.”

Despite occasional bright spots—like an RBI single in a comeback win versus Tampa Bay —the broader trend is distressing. His season slash sits around .208 average, 18 home runs, .674 OPS, and just 15 stolen bases.

Yankees' Dilemma: Loyalty vs. Results

Organizational Support Persists—for Now

Despite the red flags, Yankees leadership has publicly backed Volpe. GM Brian Cashman reaffirmed Volpe as the team’s starting shortstop and “future cornerstone,” citing his postseason resilience and character. Similarly, insiders note the team remains “all-in” on Volpe—even as Jose Caballero, acquired at the trade deadline, shows promising defensive flashes.

But that support may not be eternal. A recent insider report states the Yankees will have to decide at season's end whether to give Volpe another shot, or begin looking for a replacement.

Emerging Alternatives & Sporting Realities

Caballero’s limited yet encouraging action puts pressure on Volpe’s future. The Yankees also have in-house options and top prospects—George Lombard Jr. in particular may soon be in direct competition for the shortstop gig.

Meanwhile, the Yankees' playoff aspirations hinge on shoring up weak spots—especially defense and consistency, areas where Volpe currently lags. The team, with aging stars and a hefty payroll, can't afford to operate with foundational weaknesses persistently exposed.

Why It Might Be Best for Volpe to Move On

1. Mounting Defensive Exposure: Seventeen errors—and counting—at shortstop is untenable. That’s a liability the Yankees can ill afford, especially in crucial late-season and postseason situations.

2. Offense Offers Little Cushion: A .208 average and .674 OPS with sparse base-stealing success make it harder to justify keeping Volpe at short if his defense remains a liability.

3. Fan Sentiment Has Turned: Once embraced, Volpe now faces palpable backlash—booed at Yankee Stadium and widely critiqued online. That loss of support can affect performance and clubhouse dynamics.

4. Alternatives Are Presenting Upside: Caballero and prospects like Lombard offer potentially steadier defense, or at least the chance to stabilize the position while Volpe regroups.

5. It’s About Protecting the Playoff Push: With postseason hopes still alive, the Yankees cannot linger on hope—they need consistent performance. Moving on could be disruptive short-term—but possibly necessary for long-term success.

   
   

   Volpe’s rise in 2023 held so much promise: youthful energy, defensively sound mechanics, and postseason heroics. But baseball is unforgiving, and the 2025 season revealed cracks in both discipline and execution. As the calendar edges toward September, the Yankees must weigh family loyalty against pragmatic needs.

Volpe’s future shouldn’t be a foreclosure. A change of environment—be it in Triple-A, a trade scenario, or a demotion with coaching support—might be just what reawakens the player who once looked like the Bronx’s next long-term anchor. But for New York, clinging to sentiment over performance may cost them dearly in pursuit of October glory.

Can't trust a NY shortstop that is an Adidas brand player, just throwing that out there. I personally believe Volpe is a second basemen that thinks he's a shortstop.