Yankees and Brian Cashman clarify their position on Anthony Volpe

Yankees Show Continued Faith in Anthony Volpe

As the July 31st trading deadline approaches, the Yankees’ needs are expanding, but shortstop isn’t one of them.

Despite a challenging phase in what has been a tumultuous major league career so far, Anthony Volpe remains the team’s choice at shortstop. Brian Cashman expressed his confidence during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, following the designation of DJ LeMahieu.

“He’s our shortstop,” Cashman stated emphatically. “We should remember what he accomplished at such a high level last October. Yes, his current season isn’t perfect, but there’s still plenty of time left.” I mean, seasons can turn around, I guess.

“I’m not counting him out. I believe he’ll be part of the solution, not the problem,” he continued.

Volpe, 24, is coming off a solid playoff performance last year, where he hit .286 with an OPS of .815 in 14 games. He started this season strong, becoming one of the Yankees’ more reliable bats as they aimed for the World Series. However, his last 22 games have seen a steep decline, batting just .115 with a .426 OPS and racking up 22 strikeouts. Back in 2019, his stats were even less impressive, at .217 with a .686 OPS.

Cashman remains optimistic, saying, “He can certainly contribute offensively. I have high hopes for him. There are ups and downs in a six-month season. While I see there’s a struggle, I don’t view him as a problem.” It’s all part of the game, right?

Volpe’s defensive stats have also taken a hit this year, particularly compared to his Gold Glove season in 2023. Cashman noted that Volpe’s commitment shows in his playing style, saying, “He’s the grinder type. He’s played through injuries, which can affect performance.” Volpe suffered a left shoulder injury on May 3 and subsequently dealt with an elbow issue after hitting a pitch on June 6.

“I still believe he’s among the better defensive shortstops,” Cashman admitted. “But there are definitely aspects that aren’t clicking for him right now.” He concluded, “I think he’ll be fine. We’ll be fine with him.”