COULD ANTHONY VOLPE FORCE THE YANKEES TO INNOVATE?

Isiah Kiner-Falefa came to the Yankees at the start of the 2022 season as part a trade that sent Gary Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins. IKF played in 138 games, 131 of them at shortstop for the Yankees last season with 15 errors. He slowly declined both defensively and offensively but stayed healthy for most of the season. Yet, when push came to shove, he just could not perform the way the Yankees needed their middle infielder to perform, particularly in the postseason. 

Conversely this spring, the Yankees have seen nothing but incredible performances from rookie shortstops Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza, with Volpe really stealing the show. So what does all of this mean for IKF, who has had a pretty good spring training so far going 5-for-19 and batting .263? It means the Yankees may need to get innovative if they are going to keep IKF but promote Volpe to starting shortstop.

"Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including MLB.com's Bryan Hoch) on Tuesday that Kiner-Falefa has been working with former big-league outfielder Nick Swisher to learn the nuances of playing on grass. Kiner-Falefa will even be making an appearance in center field in spring training before the week elapses. Boone added that he thinks Kiner-Falefa could be a "natural" out there," reported CBS Sports. 

Source: NY Daily News

IKF may be an above average fielder but he has not pulled his weight in the batter's box. The Yankees need more consistent at bats from their lineup—this goes for everyone, IKF and beyond. But if IKF can add some competitive advantage through the lens of another position, I am all for it. As long as he hits and hustles. 

Source: NY Post

"It’s to be determined if there was a true competition entering the camp or if the Bombers had a favorite for the position all along. Volpe has been the clear top performer out of the bunch and with Kiner-Falefa now trying to learn the outfield, the competition has only gotten more intriguing a little over two weeks before Opening Day," reported the New York Daily News.

Yankee Captain Aaron Judge compliments what I have been preaching since I started writing this blog more than five years ago. The key to winning in this sport is putting the best team on the field and if Volpe is that guy, then he should be the starting shortstop on opening day.

“I think he’s got all the tools,” said Aaron Judge after last Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals at the Yankees’ spring complex. “He checks a lot of boxes defensively, offensively. He’s got the speed... My thing has always been, if you’re the best player, it shouldn’t matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees,” reported the New York Daily News.

Innovation is something that has been lacking in the Yankees over the years. They just have not been able to play that card when they needed to or perhaps they just did not want to take the chance. But now Anthony Volpe may just be forcing their hand and that could mean big things for the Yankees in 2023. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof