The Bronx has never been kind to those who inherit thrones without earning the crown. And while Derek Jeter made greatness look routine in pinstripes, Anthony Volpe is learning just how heavy legacy can be. The New York Yankees once whispered his name with hope—now, they mutter it with concern. Because chasing ghosts is hard, especially when the only thing you’re catching is boos from your own crowd.

Jeter is considered one of the best shortstops in the history of the game, let alone the Yankees. And any other player that will come in that position will be compared to him because he is kind of that benchmark. The New York Yankees currently have Volpe in that position, and nothing has gone well for the former-future of the franchise.

After the recent series sweep against the Blue Jays, people have become very frustrated with the Yankees, especially Volpe. So, under the post by Yankees official X’s handle, a fan posted a pic of Volpe in a delivery guy uniform. Some people may think it is hate, but it is more of frustration with nothing going as the fans want.

New York’s prime shortstop, Volpe, entered this season under a corrosive spotlight of expectation. He won the AL Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023 and was again a finalist last year. Fans hoped that defensive excellence would anchor his development, but instead, noticeable cracks have begun to show. Across 83 games this season, he’s already committed 11 errors—more than any other American League player.

Offensively, Volpe has also struggled, posting a batting average of .224, with only nine home runs and forty-four RBIs. A dreadful 0‑for‑24 slump highlighted acute timing issues and a striking decline in contact rates. His high strikeout rate starkly contrasts with his early career promise and fundamental plate discipline. This offensive drop-off has left fans and analysts questioning whether he still resembles the high-upside prospect once so cherished.

Defensively, his regression has been dramatic. His current Outs Above Average (OAA) sits at zero, ranking only for nineteenth among thirty-five qualified shortstops. Two brutal plays against Toronto in a 5-4 loss typified his erratic positioning and wild throws. He opted for aggressive throws on low-percentage plays that backfired, including a wild throw with the bases loaded against Toronto.

His attempts to emulate Jeter—the iconic fielding paragon—might be having ironic consequences. The weight of playing Jeter’s position in New York turns every error into an avalanche of criticism. Social media amplified the condemnation, with fans calling for better baseball IQ and decision-making. This shadowed legacy has arguably undermined Volpe’s instincts and eroded his confidence on the field.

Comparing his first two seasons to this year reveals sharp declines. In 2023 and 2024, Volpe maintained fielding percentages around .972, committing only sixteen to seventeen errors per full season. This year’s .961 FPCT and eleven errors in fewer games highlight his downward trajectory. Offensively, his average has dropped from around .249 in mid-June to .224 following Monday’s 1‑for‑4 night with two strikeouts.

These struggles have tangible consequences for the Yankees’ standing in a fiercely competitive AL East race. As of July 4, 2025, the Yankees sat at 48‑39, trailing the Blue Jays by one game in the division. Their recent four‑game losing streak to Toronto and other defense-based collapses have contributed directly to that gap. In such tight races, Volpe’s miscues carry outsized weight on run prevention and postseason positioning.

Ultimately, Volpe’s season has turned into a cautionary tale: immense potential shadowed by mounting regression. His defensive mistakes, aggressive mentality, offensive slump, and the burden of comparison to Jeter have all converged sharply this year. If Volpe cannot stabilize both his glove and bat, the team’s division and hopeful trajectory could slip further. And as the Yankees fight for first place, Volpe’s missteps may prove costly in both the standings and his once-bright career narrative.

Yankees slip in AL East standings but maintain confidence as league’s best

At some point, the swagger starts sounding like denial. Aaron Judge still calls them the best team in baseball. Skipper Aaron Boone echoes it with that familiar, unwavering stare. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is already blocking out the noise, and Clarke Schmidt’s chalking it up to baseball gods being moody. But when Luke Weaver admits he’s fazed, maybe it’s time someone in the Yankees clubhouse checks the standings—and the mirror.

The Yankees didn’t just lose a four-game series in Toronto—they unraveled in historic fashion. Outscored 36-23, they finished 9-for-50 with runners in scoring position and watched their bullpen collapse. It marked the first time in franchise history that they were swept in four at Rogers Centre. Boone put it bluntly: “It sucks when you get your ass kicked in a division-rival series on the road.”

Despite losing 14 of their last 20, the clubhouse tone remains surprisingly defiant and optimistic. Judge said, “That doesn’t change no matter the record… I’m still gonna believe that.” Chisholm Jr. echoed the sentiment, insisting, “That we’re the best team in the league… Just block out the noise.” But while confidence flows freely, reliever Weaver admitted, “I do feel slightly fazed right now,” offering rare honesty.

Now sitting one game behind Toronto, the Yankees can’t afford another stumble, especially not against the Mets. The Subway Series won’t fix everything, but sweeping it might just stop the bleeding. Lose it, though, and New York risks spiraling deeper, maybe even slipping to third in the AL East. The season isn’t lost yet, but another collapse could make belief sound like blind hope.

If confidence could win games, the Yankees would be raising a banner, not red flags. But belief without execution is just a well-dressed illusion—especially when the bullpen’s leaking and the bats go quiet with traffic on base. The Mets series won’t define the season, but it might diagnose it. The Yankees say they’re still the best. Time to prove it—or stop rehearsing the script.