The next “Derek Jeter,” they said, about Anthony Volpe! The golden boy of the New York Yankees, a shortstop who can carry the team to the new era. Even better, he is a hometown kid, but this sheer example of the Yankee way has been nothing but disappointment this season. He has made 19 errors, which is his second most in MLB, right behind Elly de La Cruz, so not a great record to have.

Sure, he has shown flashes of power with 19 home runs, but the hype around him is huge—and this performance doesn’t come close. But what made his play downgrade so severely? And wondered why Skipper Aaron Boone so fiercely protects him from the harsh crowds? Well, Boone revealed that Volpe has been playing with a torn labrum since May! So maybe Boone was just guilt-conscious all this time.

But here is the real kicker—even now, Boone has insisted that the 24-year-old won’t hit the injured list. The Yankees still believe that Volpe can deliver, and for the fanbase, this doesn’t feel like loyalty anymore but negligence.

Clint Frazier, the former Yankee outfielder, gave his honest take: “I saw Boone say the other day that they’re just holding out hope that he could find that stretch they know is in there. He even referenced what happened in the playoffs last year and was like, Volpe was such a guy for us in the playoffs last year, so how could we not play him? And it’s almost like, well, how could you play him? How can you be thinking about last year when what’s happening right now is not any bit reminiscent of what last year looked like? And it’s almost like, well, how could you play him? How can you be thinking about last year when what’s happening right now is not any bit reminiscent of what last year looked like?”

And where is the lie, honestly, because Volpe’s slash line of .206/.268/.393 highlights his struggle this season? Plus, the issue is also one of decision-making, because the Yanks have Jose Caballero, who has performed well, and Amed Rosario on the roster. Yet, they keep rolling the shortstop who simply cannot give what the Yanks really need. Also, this is not the first time Frazier has highlighted Boone’s shortcomings. But, well, his point makes sense that Boone is relying on nostalgia.

Meanwhile, the present-day Volpe looks nothing like he did when he got the Golden Glove in 2023. This time around, there are even fans cracking jokes online, and others are questioning whether his off-the-field appearances are what’s distracting him from the work he needs to put in the cage.

Yankees walk into September with their unwavering faith!

If there is one thing you have to give the New York Yankees credit for, it’s their faith. Call it loyalty or call it delusion, they sure have faith in their team. And it’s not just about Boone’s or Cashman’s unwavering faith in Volpe. Because not just the front office, but even the players are lighting up their words. After the Yankees won 5-3 over Boston, Chisholm said, “Any team that thinks they’re better than us, they should know that when we step on the field, we’re coming with relentlessness. We’re coming to step on necks. We’re not here to play around.”

Bold words, for sure, given that the Yankees are still chasing Toronto in the AL East. Sure, they won three straight and five of seven and even hold the Majors’ best record since mid-August. But at 83-65, they are still three games behind the Blue Jays. Right now, it still looks more like a wild-card race than a division crown, with Boston, Houston, Seattle, and Texas all lurking close behind.

Meanwhile, they also have other issues, like Camilo Doval. He was supposed to be the deadline fix—with his filthy stuff and track record for closing games in San Francisco. But he has a 6.59 ERA in pinstripes and is struggling. Cashman, though, is not blinded by the struggles, saying, “Someone who’s trying to find himself here in a new environment….But he’s struggled.” But it does make you question, if they can see Doval’s struggles so early, why not Volpe’s?

For now, the Yanks need Volpe, maybe because they don’t trust the alternatives yet. They also need Doval for now, and while Chisholm is talking about stepping on necks, the Yanks’ path to October feels more like a tightrope walk, if anything.