NEW YORK — Aaron Boone finally said the quiet part out loud Tuesday. The Yankees manager admitted he “considered” benching Anthony Volpe.
Then he started him anyway.
What followed was another painful reminder of why the Yankees shortstop situation has become their biggest liability. Volpe went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He committed his 20th error of the season. He botched a crucial bunt attempt that drew thunderous boos from 35,653 fans. The Yankees lost 12-2 to the Tigers, falling three games behind Toronto in the AL East.
“I think about it every day,” Boone told Talkin’ Yanks before the game when asked about replacing Volpe with Jose Caballero.
Yet when the lineup card was posted, there was Volpe’s name at shortstop. Again.
The error, combined with another hitless night at the plate, brought loud boos from the crowd of 35,653. Manager Aaron Boone admitted before the game that he has thought about giving José Caballero more starts at shortstop, but he still penciled Volpe into the lineup.
Volpe error comes during historic collapse
The seventh inning began with the game tied 2-2. By the time it ended, the Tigers had turned it into an 11-2 blowout.
Volpe’s miscue came in the middle of the meltdown. With multiple runners already on base, former Yankees prospect Trey Sweeney lifted a shallow pop fly to center field.
Volpe tracked back for the play. According to advanced metrics, the chance of making the catch was 99 percent. He was in position but could not make the over-the-shoulder grab. The ball dropped for an RBI single and was scored as his 20th error of the season.
Only Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz has more errors among shortstops with 23.
The mistake compounded a disastrous inning for the Yankees. Relievers Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. combined to give up nine earned runs without recording an out. They became the first pair of Yankees pitchers ever to each allow four or more earned runs without retiring a batter in the same game.
Boone admits considering change, but made U-turn
Before Tuesday’s game, Boone was asked by Talkin’ Yanks whether he has thought about starting Caballero at shortstop.
“Maybe, I think about it everyday,” Boone said. “But I also love the flexibility Caballero gives you off the bench too.”
Even with those thoughts, Boone said he still views Volpe as his starter.
“Look, I view Anthony as our shortstop,” Boone said. “But Caballero is a really good player. I’m aware of that, and feel a lot of confidence anytime I put him in there.”
Caballero was acquired from the Rays at the July 31 trade deadline. Since joining New York, he has hit .233 with a .346 on-base percentage. He has also stolen nine bases in ten attempts.
Volpe, by contrast, has struggled throughout the season. He is hitting .207 with a .269 on-base percentage. Among 147 qualified major leaguers, both marks rank near the bottom.
Failed bunt attempt adds to struggles
Volpe’s issues were not limited to defense. In the fifth inning, he failed to execute a bunt with a prime scoring chance.
Ryan McMahon led off with a single. Trent Grisham walked, giving the Yankees two on with no outs in a tie game. Boone called for Volpe to bunt the runners over. His first attempt went foul. On the second try, he popped the ball to third baseman Colt Keith.
The Stadium crowd erupted in boos. Boone said afterward that the play could have swung the game.
“That’s our chance to grab the lead there and hopefully run with it,” Boone said. “Just weren’t able to get it done.”
McMahon struck out and Grisham flew out to end the inning without a run.
Numbers tell the story
The numbers paint a grim picture for Volpe.
He is 2-for-21 in September with 11 strikeouts and no walks. Among 25 qualified shortstops, he ranks 24th in WAR (0.7) and wRC+ (81). He also sits last in batting average (.206) and on-base percentage (.268).
His 20 errors are second-most among American League shortstops.
“Offensively, just finding that consistency has been the challenge for him,” Boone admitted. “I also believe and hope that his best days are down the stretch and into October.”
Boone maintains confidence despite evidence
Despite the collapse, Boone insisted he still trusts his players.
“Still good,” Boone said when asked about his confidence level. “We have the guys down there to get it done. We just got to sync it up.”
Boone is not the only voice weighing in. Derek Jeter spoke at CC Sabathia’s charity event Monday, noting how difficult it is to succeed at the big-league level.
“It’s very hard to get to the major leagues,” Jeter said. “Once you get to the major leagues, it’s even harder to stay in the major leagues.”
The Yankees have resisted sending Volpe back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre despite his struggles. Many teams would have made that move for player development.
Boone said the focus is now squarely on the final stretch.
“We are at that time of the year where it’s all about trying to win tonight,” Boone said.
What do you think?
