NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez wanted to talk about what is wrong with the New York Yankees. He used Anthony Volpe as his primary example. Now two former major leaguers want to know why A-Rod chose to tear down the young shortstop instead of helping him.
The criticism came hard and fast. During a Dec. 19 appearance on WFAN, the Yankees legend pointed to Volpe’s strikeout numbers as evidence of an organizational hitting philosophy he called “absolutely broken.” The words sparked immediate debate across the baseball world.
But it was not the critique itself that drew fire. It was Rodriguez’s decision to make those comments publicly rather than privately offering guidance to a struggling player at a crossroads in his career.
Former players fire back at A-Rod
Retired catcher Erik Kratz and former Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar did not hold back during a segment on Foul Territory. They called Rodriguez’s assessment unfair, uninformed, and dismissive of the progress Volpe has made.
“For A-Rod to say this without having spent a day in the cage with Anthony Volpe, I feel is kinda weak,” Kratz said in a clip shared on social media.
"A-Rod could have been that guy [a mentor] for Volpe, but instead, he decided to kind of publicly sh*t on him."@KPILLAR4 and @ErikKratz31 didn't like how Alex Rodriguez used Anthony Volpe to paint why he believes the Yankees hitting philosophy is broken. pic.twitter.com/cXKXrmfL3Y
Kratz pointed to the incremental improvements in Volpe’s strikeout totals. The 24-year-old went from 167 strikeouts in his rookie season to 156 in year two and down to 150 in 2025.
“You want him to drop like 50 strikeouts? Look who’s doing that. Nobody’s doing that,” Kratz added. “To me, he’s making small incremental changes that haven’t happened to the extent that, maybe a player like A-Rod thinks they should be made. It’s not quite as easy to naturally change your production at the plate as some people think it is.”
Pillar took his criticism further. He questioned why Alex Rodriguez chose public commentary over personal mentorship.
“A-Rod could have been that guy for Anthony Volpe, but instead he decided to kinda publicly s— on him,” Pillar said. “If I’m Anthony Volpe, I don’t know if I’m picking up that phone call.”
What Rodriguez actually said
AP Photo/Chris Szagola
Rodriguez’s original comments on WFAN painted Volpe as a symptom of a larger organizational problem. He praised the shortstop personally while questioning how the Yankees have developed him.
“He really is an incredible young man with a great family and the organization has fallen in love with him,” Rodriguez said. “But at some point, the numbers don’t lie, right? You have 167 strikeouts, 156 and 150 and here’s a young man that the biggest way he can impact winning is with his No. 1 tool and that’s his legs. But we’ve taken his legs away.”
Rodriguez noted that Volpe stole over 50 bases in the minor leagues. In 2025, he swiped just 18. The former All-Star believes the Yankees’ power-first approach has suppressed Volpe’s natural game.
“I think if you zoom out, it is an organizational hitting philosophy that is absolutely broken. And until they fix it, I don’t think they win big.”
The numbers behind the debate
Volpe’s 2025 season was a struggle by any measure. He slashed .212/.272/.391 with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs. At times during the regular season, he led the American League in fielding errors with 19.
There is context the critics believe Rodriguez ignored. Volpe played through a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder for most of the season. He received a cortisone injection in September. After the Yankees lost to the Blue Jays in the ALDS, Volpe underwent surgery to repair the injury.
Kratz emphasized that Volpe’s 2025 was not as catastrophic as some portrayed. His OPS+ of 83 hovered near his career average of 84. He posted career highs in slugging percentage and RBIs despite the shoulder problems.
Over three major league seasons, Volpe has compiled a .222 batting average with 52 home runs and 70 stolen bases. His strikeout rate increased from 22.6% to 25.2% over the past two years, even as his raw strikeout totals declined.
A franchise legend who stayed away
Pillar’s critique struck at something deeper than baseball philosophy. It raised questions about Rodriguez’s relationship with the Yankees organization since his playing days ended.
Other former Yankees have made themselves available to younger players. DJ LeMahieu has been cited by infielders for helping with daily routines and plate discipline. Brett Gardner stayed connected to the organization after retiring. His approach to grinding out at-bats remains a reference point for coaches working with prospects.
Rodriguez, who spent 12 seasons in pinstripes and hit 351 of his 696 career home runs with the Yankees, has taken a different path. His public commentary has positioned him as an outside observer rather than an inside mentor.
Pillar suggested Rodriguez could have flown Volpe to Miami for personal instruction. He could have visited the young shortstop during spring training. Instead, he chose a radio microphone.
The Yankees still believe in their shortstop
Despite the criticism from multiple directions, the Yankees have not wavered on Volpe. General manager Brian Cashman continues to express confidence in the 24-year-old’s ability to contribute.
The shoulder surgery will keep Volpe out until approximately late April or May 2026. Jose Caballero or Oswaldo Cabrera will likely handle shortstop duties on Opening Day. Manager Aaron Boone has said he still views Volpe as the team’s primary shortstop once healthy.
The debate over Rodriguez’s comments reveals fault lines in how the Yankees develop young talent. Rodriguez believes the organization emphasizes power at the expense of contact and speed. Kratz and Pillar believe public criticism does more harm than good.
Both arguments contain merit. The Yankees have struggled to develop homegrown hitters who make consistent contact. They also have a franchise legend with Hall of Fame credentials who chose commentary over coaching.
For Volpe, the controversy adds pressure to an already crucial season. He will be 25 years old when he returns from surgery. The Yankees need him to become the player his prospect status once promised.
Whether Rodriguez’s criticism motivates improvement or damages confidence remains to be seen. What is clear is that A-Rod’s words sparked a response he probably did not anticipate. The boomerang came back quickly.
