Yankees' Volpe Under Fire: Is His Starting Spot in Jeopardy?
Colaboradores
Anthony Volpe, the New York Yankees' shortstop, is facing increased scrutiny due to his defensive struggles this season. Despite winning an American League Gold Glove Award in his rookie year and being a finalist last year, Volpe currently leads the AL with 11 errors. This decline in defensive performance has raised questions about his role on the team and the Yankees' future at shortstop.
Volpe's Costly Errors
Recent games have highlighted Volpe's defensive woes. In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, a questionable throw by Volpe led to a Blue Jays run, impacting the Yankees' lead. While Volpe expressed an aggressive approach to the play, replays suggested he had little chance of making the out at third base.
Manager's Support Amidst Struggles
Despite the errors, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has publicly defended Volpe, stating that he believes Volpe is still an elite defensive shortstop. Boone acknowledged the recent errors but emphasized Volpe's overall value to the team, both offensively and defensively. He also highlighted that Volpe is still young and has room to improve.
The Future at Shortstop?
The Yankees' options at shortstop are limited, with Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as potential replacements. However, neither has consistently performed well enough to challenge Volpe's starting position. There is a suggestion that top prospect George Lombard Jr. could be the future shortstop, with Volpe potentially moving to second base. The Yankees need Volpe to turn his performance around, particularly defensively, to solidify his role and contribute to the team's success.
Offensive Contributions
Boone has also defended Volpe's offensive contributions, pointing out that he is a slightly above-average performer at his position, even amidst his struggles. However, there is a consensus that Volpe's defensive skills are crucial to his long-term value to the team.