Home/MLB
feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

You can feel it in the Bronx air right now. A weird mix of tension and restlessness. The kind of pressure that doesn’t exactly explode but just… lingers. Everyone’s watching, everyone’s whispering. This one’s about a 23-year-old who’s worn the pinstripes with pride. But now? Things aren’t feeling as certain.

You could see it coming. The errors, the swings that didn’t connect, the moments where the kid just looked… lost. And now, the patience is wearing thin. From fans in the stands to voices on the airwaves. “The Yankees can’t go into the offseason convinced that they don’t need to reevaluate his future, WFAN’s Evan Roberts said. And when someone like Roberts says he’s reached his “breaking point” with Anthony Volpe, you better believe the Bronx is buzzing.

That post from WFAN Sports Radio didn’t just rattle timelines – it snapped them in half. In a year when the Yankees are supposed to be making that deep playoff push, one of their biggest question marks is sitting right in the middle of the infield. Evan Roberts made it loud and clear: There’s no more time to stall. He thinks the team needs to decide on Volpe now!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The same kid who won a Gold Glove as a rookie, who was supposed to be the cornerstone shortstop for years to come, is now in the eye of a storm. And Volpe? He’s not backing down.

After a miscalculated throw and a late play in a brutal loss to Toronto, he mentioned, “We’re going to be aggressive, try to make plays and back up the pitcher… that’s baseball. It happens.” Then came another defensive miscue; again, he had no regrets. “I’m going to go for that play every single time… whether it’s in the book or not.”

But numbers don’t lie, and Volpe’s 2025 stats aren’t helping his case. He’s batting .229. That ranks 143rd in the league. Nine home runs. Tied for 113th. His OPS? Sitting at .723, way down from the flashes he showed in the postseason. And the defense? That stings too much. Eleven errors already, most in the AL. That throw against the Jays wasn’t just a bad decision; it opened the floodgates in a game they were leading. And now the team is left weighing his passion against production, his confidence against cost.

Manager Aaron Boone keeps saying it’s just about timing and rhythm: “He’s just got to get on time. I feel he’s a little late getting into position.” But for how long!!

What’s your perspective on:

Is Anthony Volpe the Yankees' future, or is it time to cut their losses?

Have an interesting take?

The Yankees’ playoff ambitions are starting to sweat. What looked like a cruise to October has turned into a rockier ride. They’ve dropped key games, slipped on routine plays, and suddenly, the gap at the top doesn’t feel safe. Aaron Judge is still doing his thing, but the support system? It’s been creaky. And Volpe’s slump – like that brutal 0-for-24 stretch – has made the offense top-heavy.

As one AL scout said, “There’s a lot of ground balls to the pull side. I was impressed with the playoffs, but I don’t see him doing it regularly.” Even with guys like James Rowson defending his swing, saying it’s all part of the “ebbs and flows,” it’s clear: Volpe’s window to correct course is shrinking. Fast.

So now, here the Yankees are. With a 23-year-old under the spotlight, fan patience running low, and a division lead that doesn’t look as bulletproof as it once did. And this isn’t just about Volpe anymore. It’s about the bigger picture. Can this version of the Yankees actually go all the way if their shortstop is sinking? Or do they pull the plug and pivot before October turns into heartbreak?

The answer might shape not just the season, but the future of this franchise.

Yankees’ cracks widen as October pressure rises

There’s a saying that pinstripes never go out of style. But right now? It feels like the Yankees are wearing stress instead. From the outside, yeah, they’re still leading the AL East. But anyone watching closely can tell, this thing’s leaking. One anonymous scout didn’t hold back: “They just make dumb decisions on both sides of the ball.” He ripped into their fourth and fifth starters and practically begged the baseball gods to keep Aaron Judge healthy. Because without him, it’s hard to even pretend they’re contenders.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

article-image

via Imago

It’s not just Volpe. The whole team’s been slipping on the fundamentals.

Baserunning mistakes, errant throws, missed signs – it’s been ugly. And that’s exactly what separates playoff teams from championship threats. If your defense is giving away runs and your bullpen’s hanging by a thread, October won’t forgive you. One scout called it straight: “Giving up extra outs and extra bases.” That stuff adds up real quick when every inning counts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

At the end of the day, it all comes down to this – are the Yankees still the beast everyone fears? Or are they just a flashy lineup with a fragile foundation? Because vibes don’t win World Series rings. Clean baseball does. And right now? They’ve got some patchwork to do. Fast, and probably furious!

ADVERTISEMENT

0
  Debate

Is Anthony Volpe the Yankees' future, or is it time to cut their losses?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT