The Yankees have long been a team of stars, but their history is also dotted with defensive inconsistencies. From Derek Jeter’s limited range to Bernie Williams’ occasional lapses, the list of defensive question marks is longer than fans would like to admit. Now, with the current roster showing similar trends, another Yankee may be joining that list. And that too when the team is struggling to get into the winning mode again.
After dropping series to the Blue Jays and Phillies, fans had pinned their hopes on the matchup against the Rays, only to watch Tampa Bay steal the first game. Yes, a bounce-back win in the second game leveled the series. But the excitement is overshadowed by a troubling pattern: the Yankees’ defense continues to slump.
For the unversed, over the last ten games, the team has split the results 5–5, and one issue has remained constant: Anthony Volpe’s repeated miscues in the field. So much that even Yankees manager Aaron Boone has begun to voice his frustration, a sign that this defensive storyline is becoming too big to ignore.
“We’ve got to get over it. We’ve got to get through it,” Boone said in the post-game presser. “One thing’s for certain, he’s good out there. He’s had some struggles, a little indecisive on that last throw. It’s a short hop there, but we can’t be indecisive there. He’ll get through it, but obviously, there have been some tough moments here. For a very talented defender, he will get through it, and we have to get him there.”
Apr 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) throws out Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (not pictured) at first base during the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Tuesday game witnessed a rollercoaster night for Volpe. He had a towering home run that gave the Yankees a key insurance run, but his defense nearly overshadowed his big bat. Well, he made two costly errors. The first came in the opening inning on what should have been an easy double-play ball. His flip to Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second pulled him off the bag, keeping the inning alive and helping the Rays push across two runs.
And the second mistake was even tougher to watch. With two outs in the ninth, Volpe fielded a routine grounder that should have ended the game. Instead, his throw to first came up short, and Paul Goldschmidt couldn’t handle the hop. Suddenly, the Rays had the tying runs on base. However, this time, the only new thing was that Boone didn’t hide his frustration.
When asked if the errors are starting to get in Volpe’s head, Boone admitted he thinks that might be the case and was openly critical of his young shortstop. And not only Boone, but even the man himself acknowledged his errors.
“I’ve never really experienced something like this,” Volpe said about his defensive slump. Surely unexpected for the fans to see a player who won the AL Gold Glove Award in 2023. Hopefully, he gets back to his 2023 form before October comes for the Yankees.
There’s still something for the Yankees to cheer about
While Tuesday night offered enough for the Yankees to get concerned, there are a few to cheer, also. Cody Bellinger and Max Fried.
Well, after a rough return from the All-Star break and giving up a season-high six runs to the Blue Jays, Fried looked every bit like the ace the Yankees have leaned on all year on Tuesday. Aside from a rocky first inning, thanks in part to Anthony Volpe’s error, Fried was in complete control. He leaned heavily on his curveball, throwing it 34 times and generating eight whiffs, using it as his go-to strikeout pitch.
Moreover, after Jonathan Aranda’s homer in the second put the Rays up 3-0, Fried locked in. He retired 14 straight batters at one point. Eventually, he finished his night with 6 ²/₃ innings, 9 SOs, and just 2 ER allowed, giving the Yankees a chance to claw back.
However, Fried’s how was complemented by Bellinger. With the Yankees trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the third, the former MVP delivered the swing of the night, crushing a three-run homer to right that tied the game and electrified the crowd. It was the much-needed boost for the Yankees then, and they never looked back thereafter.
Hence, if anything, to be optimistic about the Yankees from Tuesday’s game, it will be their offense. The slugging department looked good despite missing Aaron Judge. Just a few defense improvements, especially with Volpe, and the team is good to go post-October.
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