YANKS CHOOSE .162 HITTING CATCHER OVER ADLEY RUTSCHMAN

Yikes!

Baseball's trade season always feels like a poker game where everyone insists they're not bluffing—right up until an ace disappears across the table. If reports are accurate, the Boston Red Sox are on the verge of landing star switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles in a blockbuster deal that could reshape the American League East.

For Boston, it's the kind of move that says, "We're done rebuilding. Hand us the chips." Adding one of baseball's premier catchers to an already dangerous lineup would instantly make the Red Sox better.

 
And then there's the Bronx.

If the Red Sox are loading up while the Yankees stand still, the question practically asks itself:

Brian Cashman, where are you? 

Are you really content with Austin Wells? Wearing an orange chest protector as a tribute to Thurman Munson is a classy gesture—but how about paying tribute with the bat? Thurman built his legacy by producing when it mattered, not by hitting .162. 

It's a freaking gimmick.

The Yankees aren't a franchise that celebrates effort alone; they're measured by results. If your biggest rival is making franchise-altering moves while you're watching a catcher struggle to stay above the Mendoza Line, that's not patience—that's complacency.

The Yankees don't need nostalgia. They need production. Wake up, Brian Cashman.

BOONE DOESN'T GET TO CHOOSE IF VOLPE GETS SENT DOWN!

Can we all finally admit that nothing Aaron Boone says carries an ounce of weight? The man’s press conferences are basically baseball’s version of a puppet show—except with worse punchlines. Everyone knows Boone doesn’t set the lineup, he doesn’t decide who goes to Scranton, and his creepy fixation on Anthony Volpe is… well, let’s just say it makes Yankee fans more uncomfortable than a rain delay with Dave Sims stuck in the booth.

And yet, here we are. It’s late August, Volpe is still out there putting together the kind of offensive résumé that makes Mario Mendoza look like a middle-of-the-order slugger, and Boone’s still out here calling him “elite.” Elite at what, exactly? Standing in the on-deck circle? Looking lost at the plate? Boone acts like Volpe’s OPS from high school wood bat tournaments should earn him lifetime tenure as the Yankees’ shortstop.

Let’s rewind: way back in April, Bleeding Yankee Blue (shoutout to us for being ahead of the curve) was already saying what needed to be said—ship Volpe to Scranton. He wasn’t hitting, he wasn’t showing fundamentals, and the fanbase could see it with their own eyes. I even had a conversation with my coffee guy in the city—a die-hard Yankee fan—who said, “They gotta ship Volpe to the minors. He doesn’t know how to hit!” And honestly, my coffee guy sparked this conversation. Read CALLS FOR VOLPE TO BE SHIPPED TO SCRANTON for more.

Fast forward to now, and finally, someone in the media asked Boone about sending Volpe down. Boone’s response? Comedy gold. He actually said:

“What planet does that guy get sent down? I don’t know that planet.”

Aaron, buddy, that planet is called Earth. Here. Right now. It’s the same planet where players who can’t hit above the Mendoza Line get demoted.

But Boone isn’t just wrong—he’s predictable. He doubled down with the usual “he’s mentally strong, he’ll get through this” bullshit. Boone’s always got this weird mix of dad-coach clichés and fantasy land projections, like he’s reading from a Hallmark card instead of managing the New York Yankees. Meanwhile, fans are left watching Volpe flail at the plate night after night while being told he’s secretly great. And Boone sits there saying "He's trying."

Here’s the bottom line: Volpe isn’t cutting it, and the fans know it. Boone can fight for him all he wants, but the reality is simple—when a player stinks, they get sent down. That’s how it works everywhere else in baseball. The only reason Volpe’s still here is because the front office (and Boone, the analytics department’s ventriloquist dummy) want to keep pretending their golden boy is about to “turn the corner.” Spoiler alert: he isn’t.

So, Boone can keep making googly eyes at Volpe, preaching patience and painting a picture of a player who doesn’t exist. But the fans? We’re done. We don’t care about mental toughness, emotional maturity, or OPS projections from four months ago. We just want a shortstop who can hit a baseball. Is that too much to ask when a guy’s making millions?

Apparently, in Boone’s world, it is. Meanwhile Jose Caballero is doing everything right. But Boone calls him utility.

THE VOLPE TEMPER TANTRUM THAT BLEW UP

 

Listen, we get it — it must be stressful being Anthony Volpe’s dad. Your kid is trying to play shortstop under the brightest lights in baseball, and the New York crowd is letting him hear it every time he boots another routine grounder or swings through a 92 MPH fastball like it’s invisible. That can’t be fun. But let’s pause the violins for a second... because Anthony Volpe shouldn’t even be in the major leagues.

Why? Simple: he’s not a major leaguer. He’s a Jersey kid, drafted out of high school with a great smile, probably had a few Yankee connections courtesy of Papa Volpe, skipped college ball entirely, and the Yankees — suckers for marketable babyfaces — rushed him through the minors like it was a Disney+ origin story. No seasoning, no patience, just vibes and some spreadsheet from Michael Fishman, who might currently be doing more damage to this franchise than Boone and Cashman combined (and that’s saying something).

Fast forward to 2025, and Volpe’s playing like he’s still taking finals at Delbarton. Every at-bat feels like a science experiment gone wrong. Every throw to first base is a coin flip. And every time someone says “he’s just a kid” — yeah, well, maybe he should be playing with the other kids… in Triple-A.

Back to Daddy Volpe. Over the weekend, video surfaced of him jawing at Mets fans — and not from some fancy suite either. Nope, he’s down in the regular seats, doing his best “Do you know who my son is?” routine. After a fan started chirping (as Mets fans do, especially when your kid is batting .187), Daddy Volpe snapped:

“Bad-mouthing my son? F*** you!”

He screamed it, repeated it, had to be held back. This is real footage, not a deleted scene from The Sopranos.  It's below.

Look — no one wants to see their kid criticized. But what did he expect? You're sitting in a baseball stadium, not your backyard wiffleball tournament. Volpe's been sold to us as "the future," but it’s becoming painfully clear the Yankees just shrink-wrapped a minor leaguer and slapped a premium price tag on him. And guess what? It worked. The family got paid. The Yankees got their PR moment. And the fans? We got stuck with another overhyped infielder hitting like Mario Mendoza on a bad day.

This is the Yankees' fault. 100%. They created this mess. Boone, Fishman, and Cashman decided that Volpe was The Guy before he earned it. And now that it’s backfiring? They’re still doubling down. It’s delusional.

Meanwhile, people like Neil Keefe (who nails this regularly) pointed out the absurdity of Boone saying Volpe can be a good player... and then saying he has been one already. Huh? Either he’s been good or he hasn’t. You don’t get to lie to our faces and misquote a dictionary. Boone used the word “ascension” like he’s doing Mad Libs with no clue what the words mean. Volpe isn’t ascending. He’s not even treading water. He’s sinking, fast — and taking this team with him.

At this point, even IKF is somewhere laughing.

And while we’re at it — let’s talk about Jomboy Media. They originally posted the video of Volpe Sr. going full WWE on Mets fans... and then poof, the video was gone. 

Why? Because Jomboy Media plays nice with the Yankees. But something must have happened.

Luckily Barstool grabbed it before it disappeared into the PR void.

Anthony Volpe’s dad was getting into it with some Mets fans

pic.twitter.com/gD2n1JNJZ9

— Barstool New York (@BarstoolNYC) July 7, 2025

This whole situation is pathetic. The Yankees tried to script a fairy tale with Volpe. A local kid makes good. But what we got instead is a classic cautionary tale of what happens when hype trumps development.

The Volpe Experiment is over. Send him down, let him breathe, and tell his father to stop yelling “f*** you” in a stadium filled with kids who already heard worse from Boone’s bullpen decisions.

And Mr. Volpe? Apologize. 

Your son’s struggles aren’t the fans’ fault. They’re yours — for buying into the myth and expecting the rest of us to cheer for mediocrity.

The Yankees need to own this mess. The fans are done waiting for “ascension.” We want results — not excuses. And certainly not tantrums from row 12.

The narrative is tired. The act is stale. And it’s time we all admit what we’re watching.

This isn’t baseball’s next superstar. This is a misfire. And by the way, that's OK, but he's got to be removed!

CALLS FOR VOLPE TO BE SHIPPED TO SCRANTON

Anthony Volpe used to be able to hit the fastball, but even that has become an issue.  And pitchers are now figuring Volpe out and are changing up selection and if that happens, it's curtains for this young kid.  Reminds me strangely of Kevin Maas.  He lasted 5 seasons in the majors. This is Volpe's third year. So... 2 more to go, I guess? This guy's horrible. Off balance, not prepared, not seeing the baseball.  It's kind of sad.

And so, I have an important question. At what point does “potential” expire?

For the Yankees, apparently never — especially if you're Anthony Volpe, the golden boy they told us was the future of the shortstop position. A third-year pro hitting below the Mendoza line is still being sold to the fanbase like he’s the next Derek Jeter. But let’s be real: if this is the future, can we go back?

Let’s not mince words here — Anthony Volpe is hitting .198. And no, that’s not a typo. That’s the actual number. This is year three. The training wheels are off. The excuses have expired. And yet, the Yankees front office and manager Aaron Boone continue to gaslight the fanbase into believing that everything is fine because… he works hard?

That’s rich. You know who else works hard? The guy who delivers my Amazon packages in 98-degree heat. Doesn’t mean I want him playing shortstop in the Bronx.

Fans are fed up with this team.  I was talking to the guy I get coffee from in the city. Huge Yankee fan, he sees me this morning and goes, "They gotta ship Volpe to the minors.  He doesn't know how to hit!" This is a passionate fan who uses the eye test to determine life... and he's not wrong.  

Plenty of people are shouting about how the Yankee fans were sold a bill of goods. Volpe ain't Jeter, hell, he ain't Andy Stankiewicz either.  Hell, even Rafael Santana was a better player than this kid.

Volpe is batting .300 against fastballs this season — or so the numbers claim — but let your eyes do the scouting. How many times do we need to watch him swing through a high heater like it just evaporated mid-air? Pitchers have figured it out. He can’t hit anything that bends, breaks, or even flutters. He's hitting .130 against breaking balls, and he hasn't notched a single hit against off-speed pitches. None. Zero. Nada.

That’s not a slump. That’s a systemic issue. That’s a scouting failure. That’s a front office living in delusion.

So where is the accountability? Boone, in his usual "aw shucks" postgame monotone, keeps praising Volpe’s “work ethic.” Great. But Major League Baseball isn’t a summer camp talent show — it’s about results. You can work as hard as you want off the field, but if you’re striking out nearly 30% of the time on the field, something’s broken.

His 27.1% strikeout rate this season — paired with a career-high 28.3% overall — paints a picture of a hitter who’s either guessing wrong or just flat-out can’t make contact. And yet the Yankees, in all their infinite wisdom, have decided that this is the guy we should be building around.

And what about defense? Yes, Volpe has been steady with the glove. Credit where it’s due. His 6.7 bWAR over two seasons is respectable. But we’re talking about the Yankees. This isn’t Kansas City. You don’t get to start in the Bronx just because you can flash some leather. This is supposed to be the most demanding stage in baseball — and instead, we’re treating the shortstop position like it’s a developmental league for prospects who “might” figure it out.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza — the forgotten man — is over there wondering what he did to get ghosted. The kid can rake, plays a better defensive shortstop, and actually looks like he belongs. Give him a real shot and he’ll give you .260 with some pop and a cannon arm. Volpe can't even hit .200.

We get this Volpe soap opera every night — the “he’ll get hot soon” narrative that’s been stuck on a loop since 2023. This isn’t just about Volpe anymore — it’s about a front office that’s completely out of touch with reality.

And maybe the most insulting part? They think we don’t see it. That we’re just going to sit here, chant his name, and pretend everything’s fine while he flails through another 0-for-4 night.

It’s not fine. It’s not close to fine. And no amount of Boone babbling about work ethic is going to change that.

Volpe’s time is up. Ship him out. He may still have a future — maybe a utility infielder somewhere, maybe even a late bloomer in a smaller market. But the Yankees don’t have the luxury of patience when it comes to the most important position on the diamond.

Oswald Peraza is waiting.

Maybe it’s time the Yankees stop playing favorites and start playing to win.

THE YANKEES ARE PLAYING THE WRONG SHORTSTOP!

Saying a player is hitting balls hard is a cop out for the player. There, I said it.  

You don't build an average; you don't help your team if you are hitting balls hard and getting out.  Can we just stop the nonsense? Anthony Volpe is Mario Mendoza plain and simple. He's got a marketable face, but that's about it.  My #11 Jersey is a Brett Gardner jersey, plain and simple.

Another chapter in the tragic comedy that is Anthony Volpe: Shortstop of the Future. Except now it's 2025, and the future has arrived... and it's batting .198.

Let’s rewind to Tuesday night in Cleveland. Top of the eighth. Yankees down a run. Two outs. Runners on first and second. Prime time for a clutch hit. Instead, Anthony Volpe steps in and does what Anthony Volpe does best these days — works the count to 2-2 and then flails helplessly at a slider from Evan Gaddis. Strike three. For those keeping score at home, that was his third consecutive swing-and-miss in the at-bat, following two high fastballs that looked like they were in a different zip code.

Volpe’s final line? A mighty 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Through April 23, at that point he was limping along with a .209 batting average and a career-worst 27.1% strikeout rate, according to FanGraphs. The guy’s missing hittable pitches in the strike zone like he's being paid to sabotage rallies.

Kristie Ackert of Athlon Sports tried to spin the numbers into something hopeful, writing:

“He is hitting the ball harder. His average exit velocity has jumped to 90.3 mph (up from 87.7 last year), and he’s already posted a 13.8% barrel rate, higher than both his 2023 and 2024 marks combined. The Yankees even gave him the controversial ‘torpedo bat’ to lean into that power. But his line drive rate is down to 15.5%, and his fly ball rate is up to 31.0%, with many of those poorly struck.”

Translation: He’s swinging harder... but he’s still not hitting anything.

Pitchers? They’ve adjusted. 

Volpe’s whiff rate on fastballs is now creeping toward 30%, and breaking stuff has turned him into a human windmill. He’s 0-for-13 this season combined against sliders, curveballs, and changeups — with a jaw-dropping whiff rate of over 45%. Tuesday night’s strikeout wasn’t just a bad at-bat; it was a flashing neon sign of a much deeper problem. He’s swinging smarter, maybe. But swinging smarter doesn’t mean much when you still miss nearly half the time. Pitchers adjusted to Kevin Maas too and he eventually faded away.

And while the Yankees keep doubling down on Volpe like a gambler chasing bad bets, Oswald Peraza remains the obvious better option — and somehow, still the overlooked one.

Let’s talk about Peraza. Better defender? Absolutely. Smoother glove, quicker hands, and doesn’t boot the routine plays that Volpe turns into heart attacks. Offensively? He’s not a .209 hitter. He never has been. Peraza can hit for average, doesn’t strike out in bunches, and brings real poise to the plate. No gimmicky “torpedo bat” required — just good old-fashioned ability.

And yet, the Yankees hitched their wagon to Volpe like he was the next Jeter — but he’s playing more like the second coming of Eduardo Núñez without the fun speed. The organization made their pick, and it’s painfully clear they backed the wrong horse, again.

Volpe’s been given every opportunity, every headline, every ounce of patience. And yet, here we are: still watching him chase sliders and pop up to second like clockwork.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza — the better fielder, the better contact hitter, the guy who doesn’t look like a deer in the headlights with runners on — waits in the wings. Or worse, rides a bus to Scranton. The Yankees need to face reality: they chose the wrong shortstop.

It’s not too late to fix it. But if they keep pretending Volpe is the answer, they’re going to keep getting the same result — weak contact, high whiffs, and another season of wasted potential. Let Peraza play. He’s earned it. And frankly, he deserves better than watching this mess from the bench.

Finally, I just want to say this; I'm not ripping on Kristie Ackert at all. She is admired and respected. What I am ripping on is this new world of "hitting balls hard" and nothing to show for it.  When I grew up you looked at a dude's average, dingers and RBIs.  If he didn't strike out that was a plus and if he could swipe a few bags, that was great too. But that's all you needed to know when a player was solid or not.  This world of "hitting balls hard" and batting .191 is the dumbest form of baseball I've ever seen. There is no progress for that player, in fact, they should probably just give it up.  And so there, I had to say that.  Hey Kristie, respect!

I NEED MY GIANCARLO STANTON FIX, HOW ABOUT YOU?

Craving a Giancarlo Stanton update? Well, buckle up, because the latest scoop comes straight out of Cleveland, where Stanton made a surprise cameo at batting practice—and no, it wasn’t just to stretch his legs or admire Lake Erie.

The slugger, who's been navigating the scenic and frustrating route back from elbow epicondylitis—in both arms, because of course—finally took some swings on Tuesday. Yankees fans, starved for dingers and drama, were served at least one course of optimism. “I felt good,” Stanton said, strolling off the field like a man who just remembered how fun baseball can be. “The elbows are getting better.”

Progress? Yes. A return date? Not so much. While Giancarlo is inching his way toward the Bronx, there’s no calendar circle just yet. So don’t go pre-ordering your postseason Stanton jerseys—unless you like the suspense.

He still doesn't know when his rehab assignment will start. And given that he ghosted the entire preseason, he’ll need more than a couple at-bats to knock off the rust and find his swing (preferably the one that sends balls into orbit).

Look, the Yankees offense is fine, in that "we’re surviving but not thriving" kind of way. But when guys like Anthony "Mendoza" Volpe are swinging like they're auditioning for a role in a slapstick comedy, the lineup starts to look a little... patchy. Enter Stanton—the man, the myth, the muscle.

If we’re lucky, maybe we get a version of the guy who tore through the 2024 postseason with a .273 average, 7 bombs, 16 RBIs, and the kind of swagger that wins you an LCS MVP trophy. Or maybe we get a slightly less heroic Stanton who still smacks dingers and, fingers crossed, doesn’t mention his elbows every other inning.

Either way, stay tuned. Stanton’s coming—eventually. Probably. Hopefully. And when he does, let’s just pray the only thing he’s icing is the champagne.

THAT CARLOS CORREA RUMOR IS HOT & HEAVY AGAIN

Well,well, well… Newsweek is stirring the pot again, and this time it smells like Carlos Correa sautéed in pinstripes.

According to Zach Pressnell of Newsweek, the Yankees might want to go shopping in Minnesota’s discount aisle and grab Carlos Correa to play third base. You know, because clearly what the Yankees need right now is another shortstop to not play shortstop. Pressnell says, “Correa would slot in at third base for New York, but he has the flexibility to move all around the infield…” which sounds suspiciously like code for: “Hey, if Volpe continues hitting like a pitcher, we might have to move Correa back to short.” That's what I hope at least.

Because let’s be honest—Anthony Volpe’s batting average is slowly morphing into a really bad SAT score. At this point, he’s flirting so hard with the Mendoza Line, Mario Mendoza himself might be texting, “Bro, give me some space.”

Look, Correa has a hefty contract, and yes, the Yankees might ask the Twins to eat some of it—which is fitting, because the Twins might want to eat glass rather than keep paying Correa while he figures out how to hit again. But still, if the Twins are open to subsidizing a good chunk of that monster deal, and Brian Cashman can pay in expired prospects and used chewing gum, this rumor could have legs.

Of course, third base has been the Yankees’ version of musical chairs—except the music stopped last July, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. just sat down and stayed. Now that Jazz is back at second, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza have been doing their best impression of a third base platoon… and by “best impression,” I mean they’ve been holding the position hostage without making much noise with the bat.

To be fair, they’re trying their best. But trying doesn’t always hit baseballs, just ask Volpe. So naturally, when you hear Correa’s name again, the imagination runs wild—like a little league team after free donuts. Remember when Pete Caldera dropped that juicy little nugget in NorthJersey.com a while back? He reported that the Yankees were willing to ship off three of their top six prospects—George Lombard Jr., Chase Hampton, and Will Warren—for Correa. Back then it sounded like pure fantasy, but Caldera doesn’t throw smoke. If he’s hearing it, there’s fire—at least the rumor kind.

We even wrote about it back then: A BIG CARLOS CORREA NUGGET JUST DROPPED IN MY LAP—and yes, we’re still proud of that title. It felt real then. Then it didn’t. Now it does again. Such is the life of a Yankees rumor—rising from the ashes like a Bronx phoenix in cleats.

So, is Correa coming to the Yankees? Who knows. Is he playing third? Maybe. Should he play short instead? Possibly—especially if Volpe keeps trying to reinvent the art of the non-hit. 

What we do know is that this isn’t a trade rumor to ignore. It has names. It has legs. It has Caldera and now Newsweek. Stay tuned. Hold your hats. And maybe start watching Twins games… just in case.

ANTHONY VOLPE IS THE NEW MARIO MENDOZA

Let’s stop sugarcoating it: the Yankees have a Volpe problem. They just don’t want to admit it. It's time to bench Volpe for Peraza.

Anthony Volpe is hitting a paltry .197. His OPS? A forgettable .703. He’s striking out in nearly 30% of his at-bats. And somehow, some way, he’s still penciled into the lineup every day like he’s earned something. Spoiler alert—he hasn’t.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza is sitting in the shadows, glove in hand, waiting for a chance he’s already earned ten times over. He’s a better defensive shortstop, a more consistent presence on the field, and—frankly—he earned his spot. Volpe? His was handed to him.

If the Yankees were truly concerned about having a reliable bat at shortstop, they wouldn’t be trotting out Volpe every day while he flails away at the plate. His offensive struggles aren’t new. This isn’t a slump—it’s his norm. And if this is what the Yankees are calling their “shortstop of the future,” then the future is looking pretty bleak.

And it gets worse. Bat company Victus just dropped the “Anthony Volpe VOLPE1 Custom Pro Reserve.” A custom bat for a player who can’t even crack the Mendoza Line? Remember Mario Mendoza? He turned out to be a bust. Volpe feels the same.  That VOLPE1 bat should be reserved for when he figures out how to make consistent contact, not as a marketing gimmick. It’s embarrassing—for him and for the organization trying to prop him up.

Even Empire Sports Media is calling it like it is:

“Volpe is hitting just .197/.295/.408 over 76 at-bats, including a .703 OPS. His strikeout rate has ballooned to 28.9%, despite sitting in the 80th percentile for chase rate and 83rd percentile for barrel rate.”

Translation? He’s swinging at the right pitches and hitting the ball hard—when he manages to hit it. Which isn’t often.

But manager Aaron Boone keeps backing him like it’s personal. Maybe it is. Boone has long managed more like a buddy than a boss, and Volpe seems to be the latest project getting the “favorite son” treatment. At this point, it’s hurting the team.

Peraza should be starting. Period. He’s the better fielder. He’s shown promise with the bat. And most importantly, he’s earned the opportunity. But the Yankees won’t make the switch because they’ve invested too much in Volpe—the hype, the draft pick, the marketing, the storyline.

Well, here’s a storyline: the Yankees are letting pride get in the way of performance.

Volpe isn’t getting the job done, and Peraza continues to pay the price for it. If New York is serious about contending, they need to stop managing based on hype and start managing based on results. Sit Volpe. Start Peraza. Enough excuses.

Because the truth is simple: Volpe’s not hitting, and he’s not fielding better than the guy behind him.

So, what are we even doing here?

AARON BOONE'S BLIND SPOTS ARE VOLPE & WELLS

Now look Yankee fans, if you know me here at BYB, you know I am truthfully honest.  I'm gonna say alot of stuff right now that is on my mind. You may agree or you may not, but just know that opinion when it comes to the Yankees is important. You don't have to agree. That being said, let me get this off my chest.  Anthony Volpe? Austin Wells? They are mediocre. There... I said it.

Anthony Volpe is not a superstar shortstop. He's not even above average. What he is, is a guy batting .197 with a .301 OBP, and somehow Aaron Boone talks about him like he's Derek Jeter stuck in a slump. Newsflash: this isn’t a slump — this is who Volpe is.

Let’s be clear. A .301 OBP is the best Volpe has ever managed in his major league career. And if you need a refresher on what qualifies as decent at the plate:

.340 OBP = Solid
.360 OBP = Very Good
.400+ OBP = Elite
Volpe’s .301 OBP = Subpar

And while we’re on the subject, Volpe’s strikeout rate is climbing, his batting average is falling, and his advanced metrics are just as underwhelming. Here’s the career snapshot:

Anthony Volpe (Career):  .228/.288/.373 / 7.3% BB | 25.0% K | .145 ISO | 84 wRC+

League Average Shortstop:  .251/.314/.406 / 7.5% BB | 21.7% K | .154 ISO | 99 wRC+

That comes from Start Spreading the News. Every single category? Volpe is worse. And yet, Boone defends him like he’s a superstar battling through a cold streak. When asked about Volpe after a rough game against the Rays, Boone actually said:

“They really beat him up in the strike zone with heaters.”

“Before last night, he’d still been having good at-bats and hitting the ball hard.”

Good at-bats? Hitting the ball hard? What are we watching here — Boone’s fantasy league or actual Yankees baseball?

 
This isn’t a guy in a slump. This is just who Volpe is: A defensive shortstop with replacement-level offense. And he’s not alone in this illusion.

Let’s talk about Austin Wells — the other half of this overhyped duo. Wells is batting .182. Boone, during spring training, actually tried to sell the fanbase on the idea that Wells could be the leadoff guy. Seriously.

Wells led off in 16 spring training games — and it was a dumb idea from the jump. But Boone stuck with the narrative all spring. And when the season rolled around? Sure enough, Wells batted leadoff on Opening Day and even hit a home run against the Brewers.  That was it. That was the peak of the “Wells leadoff” experiment. It ended as quickly as it began — because it was always a bad plan. I wrote about it and got shit for it. Read AUSTIN WELLS IS NOT A LEAD OFF GUY! Once again, we are right here, because we understand baseball and we don't work for the Yankees front office. Boone's a pawn.

But here's the real issue: Boone supports guys who don’t deliver. Not because of performance. Not because they’re producing. Because of relationships. Because of comfort. Because these are his guys. And it’s costing this team.

Will the Yankees be fine offensively overall? Probably. Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge will keep the lineup afloat. They’ll generate the big moments and the national headlines. But Volpe and Wells? Besides an occasional highlight, they’ll be ghosts. Non-factors. And no one in the mainstream media will talk about it. No one will question it. It’ll all get buried under Judge moonshots and Goldy doubles.

Bottom line? We see two players who are still green, still not fully developed, still not real contributors at the major league level — and a manager betting his future on them, blindly. This isn’t about development anymore. This is about distraction. The Yankees are counting on fans not noticing. But guess what? Bleeding Yankee Blue is paying attention. We’re not going to be fooled. Not by Boone’s spin. Not by empty stats. Not by occasional flashes that fade back into mediocrity. You want a team built on hype and friendships? That’s what you’ve got right now in Wells and Volpe.

And until the Yankees face that truth — the trophy case is going to keep collecting dust.

We're honest here. This is how we feel... sorry to disappoint you all, but when in the hell was an average under .199 considered good? If it was Mario Mendoza would be a hall of famer right about now.  

It's fucking ridiculous.

THE LATEST SCOTT BORAS SALES PITCH IS A RIOT!

"I do know that there are a lot of teams that feel that Joey in their market and their uniform would be more of the normal than what he is in New York. But right now, he’s on a winning team, he’s on a team that’s doing very well, he can be a major contributor to it …" Scott Boras

OH PLEASE, Boras! Please don't tease us anymore. Please from your mouth to the baseball god's ears PLEASE let ANY other team take Joey Gallo off of our hands. That would be the greatest gift so far this season. You can read more HERE and laugh. 

He COULD be a major contributor but he hasn't been. He's been dead weight! You gotta hand it to Boras though, he always makes things interesting. He usually makes me laugh my ass off and this time he certainly didn't disappoint. It's his job to sell his clients, so it's no surprise that he is working overtime trying to spin this. I guarantee the guy would try to sell snow to an Eskimo so believe me when I say I am not shocked by his statements....I just think he is delusional.

"He had a nice home run the other day. Defensively, he’s been playing at very, very high levels. And he gets on base a lot because he’s walking at rates now that he was before. We certainly have things to work on."

More ice selling again. Great, he had a nice home run the other day which brings his grand total to 11. Really impressive (sarcasm). But, what has he done for us lately, Boras? Or....consistently for that matter? How has he been a positive contributor? Everyone has nice moments in this game, but rare moments aren't enough when you play for the Yankees. 

So please, Boras show us the teams that are lining up for the guy who is a very good defender but has a .164 BA and 98 strikeouts making him a SURE out. Oh and a rather expensive sure out at that. If another team wants take a gamble, the Yankees are all ears. Maybe another non-contending team can overlook all of the strikeouts and be okay with the occasional big hit.

But we can't afford that come September. He's an insult to Mario Mendoza, the guy that inspired the baseball cliché of "batting below the Mendoza line." He's reinvented it, we should call it the GALLO line from now on. Time to give poor Mario a break.

At any rate, please Boras....find a willing team and we will send Gallo packing. Hell, we might even throw in a new bucket of baseballs and some Big League Chew to sweeten the deal! 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WASHINGTON NATIONALS CLOSE TO A DEAL WITH DIETRICH

It's a shame the Yankees didn't give this guy a shot, but no worries... the Nationals will.

Fansided writes:

"The Washington Nationals are closing in on a deal with free agent outfielder Derek Dietrich.

After opting out of his contract with the New York Yankees earlier this week, Derek Dietrich, 31, has found a home with the Washington Nationals.

It is unclear at this time if the deal is a minor league or major league contract.

What is clear is the Nationals have a need for a left-handed bat in the outfield after the hamstring injury to Kyle Schwarber.

Derek Dietrich gives the Nationals versatility in the field, pop at the plate..."

And with all the lack of offense, he would have helped out the Yankees on occasion. I understand people don't get it. In fact, this is my favorite comment... from of course Unknown:

Here's the thing Unknown... average and the Mendoza line doesn't mean shit if he can come up, work some walks, crack a few doubles once in a while and help get men on base. That's what the Yankees don't have! At the time I wrote that, the Yankees were losing alot and a call up of Dietrich wouldn't have hurt ANYTHING. All it would have done would be an experiment.    

But none of that matters now. It looks like Dietrich is on the move. I hope he does his job in Washington. That would make me happy.

Opportunity? It brings action.  Mark. My. Words.

IN DEFENSE OF CURT SCHILLING

You either saw the title of this post and clicked on the link immediately…or you took one look at the name mentioned and said to yourself, “Hard pass. Negative, Ghost Rider the pattern is full.”

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I’m not going to dazzle you with smoke and mirrors today. There isn’t any surprise witness tucked away in a holding room waiting to shock you and the world. I will simply give you the side of this story that needs to be told. I will present facts and prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that Curt Schilling is an arrogant blowhard and deserving of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Baseball Writers are an insanely overrated bunch. Yes, that is my opinion, but let’s look at the history of those like Heyman, Olney and the like. Objectivity is not a stat on the back of their baseball cards…in fact they don’t appear on any cards! Not a one. Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck…they have little use for these self-important “experts” in America’s National Pastime. Why? Why do they hold sway over the gateway to Cooperstown? Are they ever between the white lines? Did they stand on a bump 60’ 6” away from the plate, in a 3-2 count, runners at 2nd and 3rd, bottom of the ninth on a cold October Night in the Bronx…World Championship on the line? No. Are they athletes good enough to play in the show? No. No, they aren’t. They are wallflowers. They’re not even fans. They are jaded. The career politicians of Major League Baseball. Wouldn’t a council of player appointed former Big Leaguers, Umps, Managers and Scouts be better suited to decide who joins the legends enshrined in the Hall. To me that’s a NO BRAINER! 

Give me Mike Schmidt, Ozzie Smith, Joe Torre, Jimmy Joyce, Dan Iasogna and Mariano Rivera on the Inaugural HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE. No Baseball Writers need apply.

This brings me to Curt Schilling. Not one of my favorite guys. He is obnoxious. He is self-righteous, he is arrogant. He is politically outspoken…not anything he should be barred from doing mind you, but he looks for fights and often let’s his discord fall south of the Mendoza Line so to speak. 

Curt Schilling is a jerk. But he IS a Hall of Famer and the writers don’t like him…so he won’t make it in. This, ladies and gentlemen, is wrong. “Big Game Pitcher”? Check that box. World Champion? Yes…more than once with different teams. A guy most managers, if they are being honest, would want on the hill in a game 7? Indeed. Schilling was a gamer. He was a power pitcher with craft. He played for teams and made them better. 

Can Arizona get it done in 2001 without him? Nope. Boston reveres the imaginary curse lacking #38? NAWT A PRAYER, DOOD. Heck, even those Phight’n Phils may have been Champs in ’93 if the Wild Thing doesn’t spoil it with a gimme ball to Joe Carter…yeah, Schill was a big reason that rotation was a great one. It’s not just the numbers. Hall of Famers are guys that played the game at that next level when it was needed. They lead their teams. Curt Schilling did just that. 

But he’s a not well liked? So what?! I’m not putting him in the Hall of Fame because I like him. I don’t. I agree with many I’ve gotten to know and talk with in Baseball (names to be omitted) who said he was a lousy coworker and extraordinarily selfish. However, that’s not for the writers to decide. We have allowed these writers to take something that doesn’t belong to them. It’s not their game. It’s ours. It belongs to the fans and the players. It’s woven in the fabric of our country and these over-hyped former high school bench warmers are letting their own issues and personal feeling stop players who deserve to be recognized for the way they played baseball. That is a fact. For example…we all remember the writer who didn’t like Derek Jeter so he gave his vote to Armando Benitez…

I’ll close with this. In 2002 my father was flying back to Philly from a business trip in Phoenix. In the row in front of him on that US Airways flight was the reigning World Series Champ and Co-MVP Curt Schilling. While disembarking the aircraft my Dad, a diehard Yankee Fan, offered his congratulations and remarked, “You got my Yanks, but they’ll be back.” Schilling, instead of taking it all in stride and thanking my dad, turned quickly, nodded his head dismissively, and answered, “And we’ll kick their asses again.” 

My dad relayed that story to me and said he was truly a nasty pr**k…but a World Champ and would one day earn the Hall. I agree with my Pop. I worked with Schilling on a episode of Baseball Tonight. He is arrogant. He isn’t overly friendly (though did sign a cap for my kid brother who, tragically, is a Sox Fan). I can’t say anything truly nice about this guy….but if only nice guys made the Hall it would be like a Ramada in Fort Lauderdale the week after Spring Break.

I ask that you look to strike down the will of baseball’s writers and see Mr. Schilling for what he is…a royal assh*** ... AND a Hall of Famer.

Thank you. The Defense rests.

** Boston once loved the guy...so the Murphys can serenade him. A loser....but only as a person. As a player? HOF ready** 

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

A PUNDIT REPENTS AS THE YANKEE BANDWAGON PICKS UP STEAM

(May 1, 2017 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)    

A key aspect of this rebuilding Yankee team  I was looking forward to watching most this season were its dual dimensions of a team playing with nothing to lose coupled with the unexpected contributions that would surely come from a sea change in composition and chemistry.

A dangerous combination. And they haven't disappointed.

Sure, there's some young members of this team that have been slow to get started who will eventually come around. And there's definitely one member of the old guard who shall remain nameless (but tops the payroll in salary this year)  who should plan on retiring immediately following the conclusion of Game 162 whether the team makes the postseason or not.

Photo: MLB.com

But it seems like for the most part the veterans have played like  the backs of their  most collectible baseball cards while the benchers with no cards in their past and likely no place in the team's future plans have played three feet over their caps and potentially ignited new careers for thmselves.

So all in all, so far it's been about what I expected:  An almost complete surprise from one day to the next. One hell of a ride.

Another unexpected surprise: A bonafide bandwagon.

It feels like years since our last one. I almost forgot what that felt like; when it seems like everyone in the world is scopelocked on our guys and even our most casual fans start paying close attention and  our doubters start believing and our believers start talking in tongues to one another. And the haters -- they just shut the heck up.

It always takes me by surprise when it happens because I'm always the guy rally-capping and calling for a dink, a doink and a dinger when we're down late. You don't look behind you when you're that guy  because there's usually either just empty seats or people looking at you and shaking their heads like you're deluded.

But then that moment arrives when  you suddenly realize you and your small band of hardcore fanatics are not alone. It can be quite a shock.

Photo: Getty Images

I sensed that moment may have arrived for this Yankees team Wednesday night shortly after Judge's history-making (aren't they all now?) 13th bomb into the Monument Park netting when Chris Carter awkwardly fought off an inside pitch to bloop an RBI single over the heads of a drawn-in infield and tied the game 6-6.

Photo: Getty Images

Chris friggin' Carter. The $3.5 million home run king they love to hate. The walking whiff  who just days ago nobody wanted to replace a kid hitting .100.  The  Stephen Drew rental for a new generation.  Came through with a dying quail that didn't even reach the outfield grass. And the reaction?

No more cracks. No more sarcasm, live or online. Just wild applause and appreciation. And acceptance. Heck, he's even hitting over the Mendoza line.

For better or worse,  Carter's a Yankee now.

Another sign of the bandwagon's arrival? When pundits who made bad bets elsewhere start liking your chances.

Photo of Ken Davidoff /Twitter

After the game, in an article titled "Blue Jays’ trash may lead to Yankees’ playoff treasure," the Post's Ken Davidoff  performed a mea culpa and post-mortem on his preseason prediction the Bue Jays would win the AL pennant; then went on to explain the Yankees's suddenly plausible path to the division title.

"The second-most astounding statistic to result from this game? The Blue Jays, widely regarded as a serious contender before the season started (that Davidoff guy from The Post has them making the World Series), dropped to 9-19 — the worst record in the majors — after blowing 4-0 and 6-3 advantages."

Davidoff's change of heart toward the pinstripes  wasn't the first I've seen, but it was the first I've seen that acknowledged a legit shot at the division  -- which got me wondering about something.

With the mass layoffs over at the worldwide leader  in Bristol, Connecticut recently, how many picked the Yankees to take the division?

I dug up ESPN's big baseball preview and, out of 35 in-house baseball experts, whaddayaknow?

Just one --  Steve Wulf --   picked the Yankees to take the Beast this year.

When asked why, he replied: "A nice blend of youth and experience, speed and power. And then there's the DNA -- the last time the Yankees went four years without finishing first was 1993."

More than 100 people have been given the boot at ESPN, but Wulf's still got his job.

Why am I not surprised?

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore