The New York Yankees are riding a hot streak, winning 11 of their last 13 games, and look revitalized after series wins against contenders like the Astros and Jays. But the team needs a reality check before the postseason, as a dangerous problem is hiding in plain sight and threatens to undo all their hard work.

Let’s be clear: With an 80-63 record and sitting just two games behind division-leading Toronto, the margin for error is razor-thin because six of their 19 games left are against the AL Central-leading Tigers and rival Red Sox, who are just 1.5 games behind them and have an edge winning 8 of their last 10 games this season.

This is where the story gets complicated. And veteran NY Daily News reporter Bill Madden tweeted, “Brian Cashman has done a really good job addressing the issues with the Yankee lineup with his no pain trades for Chisolm, McMahon Caballero, but it’s all going to be for naught if he continues this self-defeating stubborn support for Volpe, who is a liability and has to be benched.”

And we can’t disagree because it’s only once during recent Marlin’s sweeps when the Jazz’s trade looked a little bad for his whole Yankees tenure. And the Yankees are 23-15 since Ryan McMahon is playing.  Though José Caballero isn’t as hyped as Volpe, but still had a better OBP than Volpe in the last 10 games.

Most importantly, Madden’s point is backed by a mountain of evidence. Anthony Volpe is slashing a .208/.271/.398, with a .668 OPS and weak defense with 18 errors and an OAA of minus eight through 139 games this season. Despite these numbers, Brian Cashman has publicly backed Volpe. “He’s our shortstop,” Cashman said. “(There’s) a lot of season left to be played so I’m not counting him out and I know he’s gonna be part of the solution rather than the problem.”And that’s why so many other voices like Joel Sherman and Tom Verducci also echoed the same concern as Madden.

And the Yankees need only look across town for a blueprint

For proof that a reset can work, the Yankees only need to look at how the Mets dealt with Francisco Alvarez. They sent him to the minors, and the result? He was hitting just .236 with a .652 OPS when they sent him down in June. And since his return, he was hitting .323 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 21 games. So if the Yankees follow the same path, then who could step into Volpe’s position?

The most obvious answer is José Caballero. He is already on the roster and the team’s recent trade deadline acquisition from the Rays. While his bat is average but his elite defense with a +5 OAA and speed is a game-changer.

Looking ahead, the Yankees’ top prospect, George Lombard Jr., is seen as the true shortstop of the future. And many scouts believe he has that “next Jeter-type” potential. Though he is still at least a year away from his debut. And future free-agent market also offers options like Toronto’s Bo Bichette for the 2026 roster.

So, at the end, you can disagree with Cashman’s logic all you want, but he is right about one thing. “I don’t forget where he was and what he was doing in the biggest stage of the game last October,” Cashman said. Volpe indeed slugged .286/.407/.408 in the postseason, including a World Series grand slam moment. And that October magic explains Cashman’s patience, but it definitely does not solve the daily problems.