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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Once upon a time, the Yankees’ 25-year-old star was supposed to be one of the guys. Alongside Anthony Volpe, he was identified as the future of Yankees baseball—untouchable in trade talks and vital to the team’s long-term vision. However, somewhere along the way, the paths of the two stars diverged. Anthony Volpe got the nod at shortstop in 2023, and the 25-year-old star has been fighting uphill ever since.

Now, Oswald Peraza’s future in pinstripes is hanging by a thread. The Yankees are seeking infield enhancements before the trade deadline, and the star has become the odd man out. Peraza has not been capable of carving out a consistent role and fair or not, the writing’s on the wall. From a powerful team cornerstone to a possible trade chip—it has been a brutal fall.

What makes it tougher to swallow is the clear double standard. While Peraza struggles to stay in the mix, Volpe continues to enjoy undeviating support from Aaron Boone and the Yankees brass. Even as his production slides, Volpe is shielded from criticism. He leads the league in errors, ranks last among 76 qualified players in batting average, OBP, and OPS—and yet, he is still treated like a foundational piece.

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Boone finally dropped Anthony Volpe to ninth in the order earlier this week, however, it looked more symbolic than disciplinary. The next night, Volpe was right back up to seventh and the Yankees manager was once again praising his “good at-bats.” That is when the murmurs began to get louder—related to favoritism, accountability and whether Boone’s soft touch is actually doing more harm than good.

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USA Today via Reuters

To be clear, the team’s issues are not all related to Volpe. However, the star’s situation has become a lightning rod for fan frustration. The Yankees have looked sloppy, uninspired and frankly, exhausted. And through it all, the manager’s calm pressers and mild reactions are beginning to wear thin. He has built a reputation as a star’s manager, however, the downside of that style is beginning to show.

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Yankees desperate to land Eugenio Suárez amid third base crisis

The Yankees are not just kicking the tires on Eugenio Suárez—the team is gearing up to pounce. As per ESPN’s David Schoenfield, the management is operating under a cloud of desperation after being leapfrogged by the Jays in the standings. With Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas failing to lock down third base, the Yankees see Suárez as a ready-made fix. The star’s 36 home runs rank fourth in the majors and Suarez’s power would be a vital boost behind Aaron Judge, who has been carrying too much of the offensive load alone.

That powerful deal speaks volumes. It is an indication that the Yankees could be losing patience not just with their current roster, but with Aaron Boone’s developmental approach. The Suárez buzz hints that New York is ready to abandon the long-leash strategy and return to its old-school mentality: win now, figure the rest out later. While Boone continues defending struggling athlete Brian Cashman might be preparing to replace them entirely. Suárez is not just a potential upgrade; he could be the front office’s loudest statement yet that underperformance, regardless of favoritism, would not be tolerated down the stretch.

What’s your perspective on:

Is Aaron Boone's favoritism towards Volpe hurting the Yankees' chances of postseason glory?

Have an interesting take?

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The Yankees can not afford to protect underperformance any longer. Whether it is Volpe’s leash or Peraza’s likely exit, accountability must return to the Bronx. If not, the postseason dreams could vanish fast. Stay tuned as New York’s deadline moves and Boone’s decisions shape what is next for this storied team.

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Is Aaron Boone's favoritism towards Volpe hurting the Yankees' chances of postseason glory?

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