In a city that lives and breathes baseball, it doesn’t take much for whispers to turn into front-page headlines. Lately, the whispers have been around one particular player, and it’s none other than the New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe. 

The “golden boy” who once held many Yankee fans’ hopes and dreams has slowly become an eyesore for them. Why? Because the errors are piling up, leaving fans frustrated. And Monday night didn’t do him any favors. During a tough loss to Toronto, a fifth-inning misplay by Volpe allowed a run to score and another big L in the pinstriped team’s record books.

So, when a reporter brought up his shoulder injury from earlier this season, wondering if a lingering pain might explain Volpe’s struggles, the speculation hit a nerve. But it was not Volpe who snapped at the reporters; it was Aaron Boone.

Referencing the reporter who broke the news that Volpe iced his shoulder, Boone said, “Well, she inquired about the shoulder incorrectly, though. It’s not his right; it’s his left. That’s not affecting his fielding at all.” But this is what Aaron Boone does—he shields his players, sets the record straight, and ensures any narrative has been set.

But the numbers are not helping Volpe’s case. Volpe still leads the American League in errors, and while the eye test does show some flashes of eliteness, the metrics have taken a dip.

It’s not just the fans noticing; it’s the entire league. Although Boone would disagree. Because, according to the skipper, Volpe’s number is still good. He was even asked if there was a lack of effort on their part for the slump. And Boone got really defensive, and even angrily shunned Jomboy’s reporter when the lack of passion was put forth. 

Now, to his credit, Volpe is not shying away from criticism. He has owned up to his mistakes and says he works hard to help things. But in New York, storms don’t pass easily. Only the pressure and spotlight are something the best can handle. Now it depends on whether Volpe can!

New York Yankees stand by Anthony Volpe—but for how long?

One thing to know about baseball is it’s a “what have you done for me lately” game. What one did a year back, no matter how great, doesn’t shine bright longer than a few weeks. Now, Volpe’s glove has been making the noise for all the wrong reasons. Not just with the Jays, Volpe has lost a routine grounder in his recent series against the Cubs.

That one mistake turned into an extra out and a run. And in a tight division race, this slip stings.

These plays and errors are piling up, and then add in Volpe’s .214 batting average and a .671 OPS, and it will raise more than just a few eyebrows. The Yankees front office knows the number, so do fans. But even then, Brian Cashman is out here supporting Volpe. “He’s our shortstop.” But where does this leave things?

The New York Yankees aren’t shopping for a shortstop at the deadline. No splashy trades, no demotion, just tweaks. Volpe is working with infield coaches on his footwork and his throwing mechanics. But then, making mid-season fixes when under the bright lights of New York is not going to be an easy task. Now, if you ask, could a short stint in the minors help? Maybe. The Mets did it with Francisco Alvarez! But Boone and Cashman still seem to be holding on to Volpe.

The trouble is, though, there is no plan B. Oswald Peraza has not clicked, and Orbit Vivas is still raw, and Lombard Jr., the prospect, is still growing into his game. Now it seems like any decision could determine what the postseason will be like or how deep it will be.