When a team falls short under the bright lights, someone always gets the blame. In the Yankees’ recent loss to the Blue Jays, Anthony Volpe became the prime target. A throwing error. A hitless night. One of those games that feeds narratives faster than it feeds box scores. Instead of dodging the heat or offering vague coach-speak, Aaron Boone grabbed the mic—and the spotlight—firing back at the critics in vintage Boone fashion.

“I’m going to be defensive to that,” Boone said during Talkin’ Yanks. He admitted Volpe “should have made that play last night,” but made it clear he was drawing a line on the criticism. According to the skipper, the conversation around his shortstop has turned into something bigger than fair analysis—it’s become a pile-on. That’s when he threw in the curveball: Willy Adames. A respected veteran. A $182 million shortstop. And, according to Boone, a perfect comparison to make a point.

With little hesitation, Boone noted, “He’s right there in the mix with Willy Adames, who has more errors than him, who has a similar OPS to him.” It wasn’t a jab at Adames as much as it was a mirror to show fans just how warped the Volpe narrative has become. Boone didn’t deny that Volpe’s offensive production has dipped—he called it a “tough month”—but he insisted the numbers alone don’t tell the full story.

That’s when he really got honest. “Strip all the emotion away of what you want him to be—he’s a good player. That’s my point,” Boone said, pausing for emphasis. It was one of the clearest moments where the manager separated projection from reality. Yes, Volpe hasn’t hit expectations. But no, he hasn’t fallen off a cliff either. The message? Not every cold stretch means collapse.

Still, Boone didn’t shy away from the bigger picture. With the Yankees trailing four games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East, the timing of Volpe’s slump—both offensively and defensively—is frustrating. His 12th error of the season came in a costly fifth inning that flipped momentum and the course of the game. “We need him to be a really good player for us,” he stressed. “And I expect him to be.”

And while some fans argue that Boone’s loyalty creates more pressure than protection, the skipper remains all in. “We’ve got to help him moving forward,” he said. For Boone, defending Volpe isn’t about denying flaws—it’s about resisting the urge to label a developing player a failure before his story’s even halfway written.

But while Boone went to bat for his starting shortstop, another young Yankee found himself under a far more uncomfortable spotlight—this time, without a public safety net or a manager’s shield.

Oswald Peraza left exposed as errors and trade buzz cloud his Yankees future

If the Yankees are protecting Anthony Volpe through his struggles, they are leaving Oswald Peraza painfully exposed. In the same loss to the Blue Jays that sparked Boone’s passionate defense of Volpe, it was Peraza’s own error—an off-mark throw from third—that helped spark Toronto’s four-run fifth inning. After the game, Peraza faced the music, admitting through an interpreter that he “rushed the sequence” and made a mistake that “cost us.” Unlike Volpe, whose Gold Glove pedigree gives him a buffer, Peraza’s limited offensive output and increasing fielding woes are giving the Yankees front office more reasons to consider other options at third base.

What adds even more tension is the self-awareness Peraza showed when asked about looming trade rumors. He didn’t deny the possibility, instead pointing out, “You have to focus on what you’re doing… and the things you can control.” While his words were professional, they also hinted at a player aware his spot isn’t guaranteed. His .150/.212/.242 slash line only adds pressure. Combined with Volpe’s 12th error of the year—now tying him for the most in the AL—the Yankees find themselves at a defensive crossroads. Unlike Boone’s firm commitment to Volpe, Peraza’s path feels far less secure, and maybe even headed elsewhere.

As the Yankees continue their rough patch, with errors piling up and the trade deadline fast approaching, the pressure on Boone and his players intensifies. While Boone defends his shortstop’s future potential, the cracks in the defensive foundation are starting to show. With the spotlight on both Volpe and Peraza, the question remains—how much longer can the Yankees afford to stick with their young talents before making moves that could shake up the roster? For the Yankees to get back on track, tough decisions could be looming. Will these changes happen soon enough to turn the tide?