There's just too much going wrong for the Yankees. The roster is a mess, the results aren't there and it just drives me crazy. Anthony Volpe is crumbling right before our eyes and Aaron Boone continues to sounds like a bumbling baboon.
Look, I am tired of watching Volpe at shortstop. It's not working. I can understand the Yankees wanting to work with him and let him work through his struggles as a young, still developing infielder. At some point though, you have to realize it is hurting the team and it is time to make a change. Especially now, when the Yankees are struggling with everything.
Last game heading into the All-Star break, and the last thing I wanted to see was Vople make two blunders. The Cubs had a runner on second base in the seventh inning and two outs, Volpe got to a ground ball up the middle by Pete Crow-Armstrong. Volpe’s throw was wide to first and Seiya Suzuki came all the way around from second to score the Cubs’ fourth run. For me, the blunder in the eight inning was worse. He stayed back on a routine grounder (as we have seen before) and casually tossed the ball to second base and it allowed Dansby Swanson to beat the throw. Volpe admitted he should've been more aggressive.
Volpe made a mistake, and as usual Baboonie had to coddle and defend Volpe.
I REALLY dislike this response. I'm not surprised by it because this is a typical Boone answer we've come to expect for years now. It just frustrates me more because we have to constantly be reminded of what is wrong and what isn't being fixed. Part of a manager's job is to problem solve - in any organization baseball or not. Volpe consistently backs up on routine ground balls and does not attack them with urgency. It's a consistent weakness that hurts this team without any action plan to correct it, so you aren't doing your job as a manager. What's it going to take for you to actually grow some huevos and be a manager?
I know Volpe is young and there will be highs and lows. Unfortunately, there are more lows than highs and as we head into the All-Star break he looks like he is regressing. He's not getting any better. He's had three seasons to piece it together so now it's you either got it.....or you don't.
Volpe doesn't have it....and four days off isn't going to fix him.
Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa will have a more significant focus on Volpe and him shitting the bed in today's game, but for me, right now... I just want to talk about the Yankees future in the field.
Let’s stop pretending. Anthony Volpe isn’t just slumping—he’s on a full-blown downward spiral. This isn’t a “young player working out the kinks” situation anymore. This is what happens when you fast-track a marketable kid with a clean face, the right connections, and zero college experience just to sell a few extra jerseys on Opening Day. And now the Yankees are dealing with the consequences and they should be ashamed of themselves.
Volpe was handed the keys to shortstop like he was the prince of The Bronx. But the fairy tale is cracking. Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Cubs wasn’t just another bad day—it was a highlight reel of why the Yankees may already be planning a future without him. (time is 6:16)
At the plate? Another 0-for-3. His hitless streak now has him 9-for-70 since June 23. Horrible. His batting average has dipped to an anemic .214. Mario Mendoza called me today and asked that I stop connecting his name with Volpe's. Why? BECAUSE IT'S THAT EMBARRASSING!
Volpe's OPS? Try .671. Not exactly what you want from your starting shortstop. But hey, at least he’s known for his glove, right? Wrong.
Volpe’s defense was just as messy. In the seventh, with two outs and a runner on second, he fielded a grounder—then air-mailed the throw wide to first. That mistake brought in the Cubs' fourth run. A little later, he jogged after a routine grounder and lobbed one to second base like it was a Sunday picnic. Dansby Swanson beat the throw, and Volpe just stared into the abyss.
But don’t worry, Aaron Boone had the usual word salad ready: “If the throw is on line, he’s out.”
Gee, thanks, dickhead. Maybe next time explain gravity while you're at it. Boone constantly defending Volpe like he’s a Little Leaguer learning the ropes isn’t just annoying—it’s insulting to fans who know better.
Meanwhile, the Yankees might already be turning the page.
While Volpe was busy booting plays in The Bronx, George Lombard Jr. was making noise at the Futures Game. The 18-year-old shortstop smoked a double, drew a walk, and looked smooth as silk in the field. Scouts took notice. MLB Pipeline now ranks Lombard as the No. 35 prospect in baseball, the No. 10 shortstop, and—wait for it—the top prospect in the Yankees system. He’s the only Yankee in MLB’s top 100.
Translation: He’s coming. And fast.
Oh, and if you thought Lombard was the only threat to Volpe’s reign, think again. With their first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft (39th overall), the Yankees selected Dax Kilby, a shortstop from Newnan High School in Georgia. Kilby is a left-handed hitter with excellent contact skills, patience at the plate, and—dare we say it—a real plan.
Ranked No. 62 by MLB.com and 75 by Baseball America, Kilby isn’t just some “project.” He’s another signpost pointing to a future that no longer includes Volpe as the guy. Here's the problem with Kilby and the Yankees analytics department though. The Yankees already tried the "drafting the SS out of High School" route with Volpe and it's a disaster. Why not let the guy spend a few years in the minor leagues rather than 2 minutes. At any rate, it's clear the Yankees are thinking future and Volpe ain't in it.
And so where does that leave Anthony Volpe?
Right now, somewhere between everyday starter and the Yankees’ version of IKF—just a placeholder until the real talent arrives. That may sound harsh, but look at the writing on the wall. For the first time in a long time, the Yankees aren’t putting their head in the sand.
They're preparing for the future. Lombard. Kilby. A shortstop shake-up is coming. Hell, is I had to pick, I'd grab a dude named Dean Ferrara from Fairfield. Newly graduated with college experience, unlike Volpe. He not only knows how to hit but can actually play defense and is the dark horse of this entire MLB Draft.
Volpe was a rushed product. Great smile. Great story. Not ready.
Well the Yankees are about where I expected as spring training moves into its midway point. With injuries already rearing their ugly head and a lot of growth needed, I am confident the Yankees will be competitive this year. And although I am used to following the Grapefruit League, this year, I had the opportunity to support teams out west in the Cactus League. So, if you bear with me, I will give you my take in Spring Training: Cactus League Unplugged.
Game 1: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home of the both the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Absolutely beautiful ballpark with great energy on a Monday afternoon. An absolute picturesque day for baseball.
The game had depth, with a ton of back and forth, trading spaces for the lead. What was particularly fun was that the Giants seemed more like the New York Mets with Michael Conforto, and J.D. Davis headlining. Also present was the Panda himself Pablo Sandoval.
It was a treat to see Kris Bryant at first base. He hit a bomb to give his team the lead for a time. The Rockies did eventually push through with a 12-10 win. And yes, you could not only get a sausage sandwich and a bag of peanuts but a fruit stick- literally just that, fruit on a stick.
Game 2: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ- aka little Wrigley Field. What a different experience. The field was outstanding giving it a Chicago feel in the middle of the desert. Chicago Dogs and Vienna Beef were plentiful.
And on deck for all to enjoy was former Yankee Mike Tauchman who launched one out to the fences and gave the Cubs the lead in a tightly matched game. Alson the roster was Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson and former Met Dom Smith. For the Angels, yes, I believe he knew I was coming and performed exactly as I would expect- Aaron Hicks. What did he do you ask- struck out looking. Yep, I heckled. No, I am not ashamed.
I enjoyed a Chicago Dog, a tour of little Wrigley, including roof top seating and some interesting beers. The staff could not have been more accommodating, thanking me for coming out.
I drove past a few other parks including Diablo Stadium in Tempe, home of the Angels, which has some charm according to the locals. On the outskirts of Arizona State University, the park totes images of Mike Trout around campus, hoping to drive in some college students to its old school abode.
Spring Training Cactus League style was a unforgettable experience. And although I wish I was in Florida visiting the Yankees, it was interesting to see how the other half or so lives out west. As we move into the midpoint of spring training, I am getting excited for what's ahead. Will the Yankees jump out ahead? Will they gel? Will they stay healthy? Answers for another time but the anticipation is amazing- I hope this feeling lasts.
I am happy to present a new series at Bleeding Yankee Blue. In coordination with Topps Card Company, whenever they send us new info on new baseball cards, we'll post the story about it here.
This makes me very happy considering I have been such an avid card collector all my life and so, it's an honor to do this with Topps.
We'll do this from time to time. We begin today. Enjoy this, I know I will!
"Every time baseball fans open a pack of cards, they search for the rookie cards.
Historically, these have been the most popular cards during a player’s career – and none are more exciting than their Topps rookie card. Topps has been creating an annual release of baseball cards since 1952 (with 1951 meant for playing a game) and have made rookie cards for so many amazing players including Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Nolan Ryan, Roberto Clemente,Sandy Koufax, Ken Griffey Jr., Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter, Mike Trout, Kris Bryant and so many more.
This year’s cards installment of Topps Baseball Series 1 has an impressive group of youngsters who get their rookie cards starting with 2017 Topps Baseball Series 1, which comes out on Feb. 1. The group of 30 players getting rookie cards in the first release of 2017 feature recent first-round draft picks, international stars and future stand outs.
Courtesy: Topps
Some of the bigger rookie cards in the set include Dansby Swanson (2015 No. 1 Draft Pick), Yoan Moncada (Cuban star), Alex Bregman (2015 No. 2 Draft Pick), Aaron Judge (2013 first-round pick), Andrew Benintendi (2015 first-round pick), and David Dahl (2012 first-round pick).
Courtesy: Topps
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can sleep on the other rookies. You just never know when a youngster is going to break out and become a huge star.
Players who were traded in the offseason (see: Moncada) are featured on a card with their original team. Rookie cards with their new teams will be in 2017 Topps Update Series Baseball, which comes out in October.
Click here to see the full list of rookies in 2017 Topps Baseball Series 1. "
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