New York Post columnist Joel Sherman launched a scathing attack on Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe during his July 7 podcast, declaring the struggling infielder is “literally killing” them offensively and must be demoted to the bottom of the lineup as the team’s playoff hopes face mounting pressure.
Sherman’s harsh criticism came during his “Pinstripe Post” podcast with Ryan Sampson, where he dissected Volpe’s dramatic regression from Gold Glove winner to defensive liability. The timing couldn’t be worse for the Yankees, who despite maintaining a 6.5-game lead in the AL East with a 94.9% playoff probability, have watched their championship window narrowing amid Volpe’s struggles.
Volpe’s stunning statistical collapse
The numbers paint a devastating picture of Volpe’s 2025 season. Through 95 games, the 24-year-old shortstop is batting just .214 with a .671 OPS and an 87 wRC+ that ranks 13% below league average. His 11 errors lead all AL shortstops, while his defensive metrics have plummeted from +14 Outs Above Average in 2024 to -3 in 2025.
Most alarming is Volpe’s monthly decline. After a respectable .245 average in April, he’s collapsed to .205 in June and a catastrophic .125 in July with just a .333 OPS. The former first-round pick has struck out 91 times against only 34 walks, with his recent struggles including an 0-for-24 streak that epitomized his season-long woes.
Sherman summed it up as: “He goes into death spirals. Like he doesn’t it isn’t like a week where he hits like 162….. it affects not only just the offensive part, but the defensive part and now has now affected them in winning baseball games.”
Sherman’s unfiltered Volpe assessment
Sherman didn’t mince words in his podcast criticism. “He’s coming up in every big moment and literraly killing them offensively,” the veteran columnist declared. “His approach with runners in scoring position has been brutal.”
The Post writer was equally harsh about Volpe’s defensive regression, stating: “The shortstop has regressed at pretty much everything” and “His throws haven’t been sharp.”
Sherman specifically criticized Volpe’s decision-making on crucial plays, including a costly sequence against Toronto where “he chose to throw to first base instead of taking the guaranteed out at home.”
“It’s time to simplify his role,” Sherman concluded, arguing that Volpe “must bat ninth” to minimize damage during the Yankees’ playoff push.
Yankees’ public support masks growing concerns
Despite the obvious struggles, manager Aaron Boone has steadfastly defended his shortstop, leading to a revealing behind-the-scenes incident with broadcaster Michael Kay. After Yankees reporter Meredith Marakovits questioned Boone about a defensive play involving Volpe, the manager dismissed it as a “50-50 play” and appeared annoyed.
According to Kay, Boone then “turned to Meredith Marakovits and mouthed the words… Aaron actually believes he’s bleeding elite” – a stunning display of the manager’s unwillingness to acknowledge reality. Kay responded forcefully on his July 14 show:
“Don’t insult people’s intelligence by saying, ‘Oh no, no, he’s playing great.’ He’s not playing great now, so stop telling me he’s playing great.”
Limited alternatives create organizational dilemma
The Yankees face stark choices with limited internal solutions. Oswald Peraza, the primary backup, offers superior defense but has managed only a .149 batting average with a 53 wRC+ in limited action. The organization’s draft strategy tells its own story – they selected back-to-back shortstops in rounds 1 and 3 of the 2025 draft, suggesting long-term concerns about Volpe’s future.
The trade market offers few appealing options. Bo Bichette represents the most likely star shortstop available, but Toronto’s divisional rival status complicates any potential deal. The Yankees’ reluctance to move Volpe from shortstop, combined with his local connection as a New Jersey native and lifelong Yankees fan, makes a trade unlikely despite growing fan frustration.
Championship implications mount
Volpe’s struggles couldn’t come at a worse time for the Yankees’ championship aspirations. They have experienced two six-game losing streaks in 2025 – their first such occurrence since 2000. During a recent 8-11 stretch, the team managed just a .391 OPS with runners in scoring position, the worst mark in baseball. Volpe’s inability to deliver in clutch situations has become a recurring theme, with Sherman noting he leads the Yankees in runners left in scoring position during recent poor stretches.
The regression is particularly jarring given Volpe’s 2024 World Series heroics. His grand slam in Game 4 against the Dodgers made him the youngest Yankees shortstop to achieve the feat and helped propel the team to the World Series. That clutch performance now feels like a distant memory as the Yankees face questions about their franchise shortstop.
Multiple baseball experts have suggested the Yankees should consider trading Volpe, with proposed deals involving stars like Ozzie Albies or including him in packages for impact players. However, the organization’s historical patience with young players and Volpe’s local ties make such moves unlikely.
The pressure builds
As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, the Yankees find themselves in an uncomfortable position. Their public support for Volpe contrasts sharply with mounting evidence of his struggles, creating tension between immediate championship needs and long-term player development.
Sherman’s criticism reflects growing frustration among Yankees analysts and fans who see a championship window closing while the team’s shortstop position remains a glaring weakness. With playoff positioning at stake and limited alternatives available, the Yankees must decide whether to continue supporting their struggling star or make difficult decisions about his role.
The answer may determine whether the Yankees can capitalize on their current playoff position or watch another championship opportunity slip away due to a fundamental failure at baseball’s most important defensive position.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Volpe deserves a fair chance. Derek Jeter was a legend in his own right. I think that everyone is expecting him to come in hit the ground running and take over for Jeter. I think in time can happen. Volpe is still evolving and I believe the pressure of the extremely high bar set for him is causing the poor performance. The kid has talent. Let him grow. Give him the rest of the season.