NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe’s grip on the New York Yankees’ starting shortstop job has never looked more tenuous.
Now in his third major league season, the 24-year-old former top prospect has seen his game regress sharply in 2025. Once hailed as the next franchise cornerstone, Volpe is now mired in a prolonged slump on both sides of the ball, and the Yankees are running out of patience.
“I’d be worried if I were Anthony Volpe, who went 0-for-3 with two more strikeouts,” NJ.com’ Bob Klapisch reported after Yankees lose 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays. “The (Yankee) Stadium crowd has grown tired of Volpe, who heard his loudest boos of the season. … Just watch: at this rate, Rosario will be playing shortstop at least one or two days a week.”
Defensive decline raises Yankees red flags
Volpe, who won a Gold Glove in 2023, has been one of MLB’s most error-prone shortstops this season. His 13 errors are tied for the league lead, and several have come in critical moments. Defensive metrics paint an even bleaker picture. After posting 14 Outs Above Average and a +10 Fielding Run Value two seasons ago, Volpe has slumped to -4 OAA and -2 FRV in 2025.
While the Yankees have publicly supported him, the contrast between Volpe’s performance and the team’s defensive standards has widened.
Volpe’s batting struggles compound concerns
Volpe is hitting .213 this season with a sub-.290 on-base percentage. After a sluggish June, he is batting just .125 in July. His 14 home runs show he still has pop, but his approach at the plate has become a liability.
According to an American League scout quoted by NJ Advance Media, “The league knows how to pitch him.” The scout added, “Volpe should be hitting .280, but he’s not, because for some odd reason, he thinks he’s a power hitter.”
Volpe’s strikeout rate remains high, and his inability to adjust has sparked questions about whether his offensive struggles are affecting his defensive focus.
On July 7, New York Post columnist Joel Sherman offered pointed criticism of Anthony Volpe. He claimed that the Yankees shortstop is “literally killing” the team and should be relegated to a lower spot in the batting order amid concerns about the team’s playoff positioning.
Boone’s support draws criticism
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has continued to back Volpe publicly, describing him as “elite” in private, according to YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits. That loyalty has drawn scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.
“We’re talking about a few extra errors,” Boone told. “That’s the separator when he wins a Gold Glove and when he’s not. … He hasn’t made a few plays that have generated a lot of noise.”
Boone’s faith has not wavered. But with each passing game, the disconnect between Volpe’s performance and the team’s postseason ambitions grows more apparent.
Maddon: Time for Triple-A reset
Former MLB manager Joe Maddon recently suggested that Volpe may benefit from a trip back to the minors.
“I’m a Volpe fan, I really am, but I think there’s got to be some consideration… about him possibly going back down,” Maddon said on MLB Network. “He’s going to be a very good player for years to come, but in the meantime, his confidence is at an all-time low.”
The Yankees have options. Volpe has all three of his minor-league options remaining and could be sent to Triple-A without waivers. Several analysts believe a short-term demotion could help him recalibrate.
Internal and external Yankees options emerging
If the Yankees move on from Anthony Volpe in the short term, whether through a benching or Triple-A assignment, the club has multiple paths forward at shortstop — and none lack intrigue.
Amed Rosario is the most immediate in-house option. Acquired in July from Washington, Rosario has played shortstop, second base and outfield throughout his career. While his range isn’t elite anymore, he’s serviceable defensively and is batting .265 this season — a notable upgrade from Volpe’s current output. Rosario has the experience to step in without derailing the rest of the Yankees’ infield alignment.
Another internal fallback is Andrew Velazquez, the 29-year-old Bronx native currently playing at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Velazquez earned cult-hero status in the Bronx in 2021 with clutch defense and energy-filled play. While he’s not known for his bat, his glove-first profile might be just what the Yankees need right now. If the priority shifts to run prevention, Velazquez could be promoted as a stopgap and platooned with Oswald Peraza.
Top prospect George Lombard Jr. remains the long-term favorite, but not yet the short-term answer. The 20-year-old is in Double-A Somerset and continues to show a high ceiling, but Yankees officials have been cautious with his timeline. Barring an injury crisis, Lombard is unlikely to be rushed to the majors this season.
Externally, Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins has emerged as a trade deadline sleeper. The 27-year-old switch-hitter brings versatility and spark. He’s played shortstop, second, third base and all three outfield positions this year, while batting .265 with speed and moderate pop. Castro has quietly put together a 2.4 WAR season, offering the type of athleticism and flexibility that could complement New York’s lineup. According to multiple reports, the Twins are open to moving him if they receive bullpen help in return — a potential match given the Yankees’ reliever depth.
Other names like Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Pirates), David Hamilton (Red Sox), Jose Caballero and Taylor Walls (Rays) have also surfaced in trade speculation. Both can handle shortstop and offer league-average offensive production. If the Yankees look for a temporary fill-in rather than a long-term solution, these players could fit.
With postseason expectations mounting and Volpe’s struggles becoming harder to overlook, the Yankees’ shortstop decision is entering a critical phase. Whether it’s Rosario, Velazquez, Castro, or a blockbuster trade, New York has the pieces to make a move — and may be just days away from doing so.
As one source told NJ.com, “Volpe’s struggles may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.”
Long-term outlook still intact
Despite his current slide, Volpe remains under team control through 2028. He still shows flashes of potential, especially with his power-speed combination. Yankees officials insist they’re not ready to give up on him yet.
“He’s going to come back very soon,” Maddon said. “He just needs a break.”
The Yankees’ dilemma is balancing Volpe’s long-term upside with short-term urgency. With the Yankees locked in a tight playoff race, every game matters. And Volpe’s continued struggles are beginning to weigh heavily on a team chasing October.
For now, he remains the starter. But as the trade deadline looms and internal alternatives emerge, the Yankees appear prepared to make a change if needed.
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