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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The New York Yankees’ 4-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox was brutal, but it wasn’t just another tally in the L column. It was a magnifying glass on a problem that fans have been grumbling about for weeks now—Anthony Volpe. He was once seen as the shortstop of the future for the Bronx. But Volpe’s recent performances have been anything but golden.

The sheer lack of hustle is visible. And the poor execution in Sunday’s game was the perfect example. In one of the key plays in the eighth inning, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson beat out what should have been a routine out. Volpe’s throw to second was off, and instead of owning the moment, manager Aaron Boone decided to give some of the blame for the error to second baseman Jazz Chisholm.

“Jazz probably has to turn into a first baseman there where we’re stretching,” Boone said, and this, of course, did not sit well with fans. Chisholm has been one of the more consistent defenders this season after all. And dragging him into Volpe’s miscue makes Boone look overprotective. And Joel Sherman decided to call the Yankee manager out.

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The New York Post columnist didn’t hold back, saying, They have a left side of the infield problem that is huge. They have no third baseman, and Anthony Volpe, regardless of the defense, is like the child who’s actually holding the cookie outside the cookie jar, and the parents are still defending him; he is a problem right now for the Yankees.” Sherman’s frustration mirrors the wider sentiment.

The New York Yankees have gone 1-9 against the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox recently. It’s left them hanging behind Toronto in the standings. Sherman mentioned that the Yankees are looking like “an untuned piano.” For him, some keys work, but the melody overall seems off. With Volpe slashing .214/.287/.671 and his defense sliding, many think that it’s time for Boone to stop the favoritism and get real.

Even Michael Kay had recently noted how Boone is almost defensive about Volpe. That in a press conference, Boone was mouthing, “He’s bleeping elite” when asked about Volpe’s struggles. But elite or not, the numbers and eye test don’t lie exactly. The Yankees need to face the reality—they need a third baseman and maybe even a starter. And also, they need their manager to start holding his players accountable.

Yankees backing Anthony Volpe, but for how long, with prospect heating up!

The New York Yankees, as visible as they are, are standing by Anthony Volpe for now. Despite a rocky season, the organization seems to protect its shortstop. But while Volpe gets a safety net, there is another player who has started to make so much noise that it’s hard to ignore—George Lombard Jr. And if you caught Saturday’s Futures Game, you already know where this is going.

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What’s your perspective on:

Is Aaron Boone's loyalty to Volpe hurting the Yankees' chances of making the playoffs this year?

Have an interesting take?

Lombard Jr. looked like the star in the making during the game, as he ripped a double, stole a base, and flashed a smooth defense at shortstop. Even Baseball America called him the most impressive player on the field. This is a huge deal, especially when the team’s shortstop is struggling in his third season with a low score and a lack of confidence.

Now there is room for both on the roster, but should the Yankees force their top prospect just to keep Volpe around? It’s harder to justify the case as Lombard continues to showcase his skills. And this gets us to the trade deadline. In the same interview, Jon Heyman mentioned that a big splash seems to be in the mix.

Now, Brian Cashman has his sights on Eugenio Suarez. The Diamondbacks’ third baseman nearly busted his fingers in the All-Star Game and put water to all of Cashman’s plans. But thankfully, the X-ray revealed Suarez is good to go. With 31 homers and 78 RBIs, he’d be a massive upgrade for the Yanks if the D’backs decide to sell.  If Suarez is not available, then the Rockies’ Ryan McMahon and the Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes are also apparently on the Yankees’ radar. Hayes is the son of former Yankee Charlie Hayes!

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The bottom line is that the Yankees are under pressure. Sure, Volpe might still be their guy, but if rings are in the New York Yankees’ mind, they might need to pivot. Don’t you think?

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Is Aaron Boone's loyalty to Volpe hurting the Yankees' chances of making the playoffs this year?

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