Radio Host Labels Struggling $5 Million Yankees Shortstop as 'Bust'

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Offense has been tough to come by for the Yankees lately.
The Bronx Bombers scored five runs in their last six games -- including being shutout in three straight.
The entire lineup isn't having success, and the Yankees are slowly losing their lead in the American League East. However, one radio host believes Anthony Volpe is part of the problem and calling him a bust.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees in action during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on June 16, 2025 in New York, New...
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees in action during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on June 16, 2025 in New York, New York. More
New"Anthony Volpe has been a bust, I don't know why everyone is afraid to say it," said Sal Licata on WFAN Tuesday morning. "Why? Is it because he's a local kid? Relative to the expectation, he's a nice kid and he's a great defensive player, so I understand that. Relative to the expectation he had coming up, he has been a massive bust. Like it's become acceptable just because he's become a serviceable shortstop?"
Let's break this down. Volpe has had two full seasons in Major League Baseball, and he's produced 1.9 and 3.4 fWAR, respectively. So far this year, he's produced 1.6 fWAR. He's on pace for 3.6 fWAR this season.
According to the FanGraphs library, a player is considered a "good player" if they fall between 3-4 fWAR. For context, the next category is "All-Star" at 4-5 fWAR.
Statistically, Volpe has been far from a bust. However, Licata doubled down on his take.
"No way Brian Cashman is happy with Anthony Volpe in year three, there's no way," said Licata. "He'd be lying if he said anything other than that."
Why would a general manager not be happy with a 3.5-4 fWAR shortstop? Sure, he may not be as good as scouts and projections showed he could have been.
Saying he's a bad player and labeling him as a bust is just disingenuous, but telling the truth doesn't draw attention the way steaming hot takes such as this one does.
More MLB: Red Sox Given 'C-Minus' Grade for 'Underwhelming' Rafael Devers Trade Return

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Associated Press

an hour ago

• Associated Press

Orioles play the Yankees leading series 1-0

Baltimore Orioles (33-42, fifth in the AL East) vs. New York Yankees (43-32, first in the AL East) New York; Saturday, 1:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Orioles: Zach Eflin (6-3, 4.81 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 38 strikeouts); Yankees: Clarke Schmidt (3-3, 3.16 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 60 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yankees -169, Orioles +142; over/under is 9 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles meet the New York Yankees leading the series 1-0. New York has a 22-16 record in home games and a 43-32 record overall. Yankees pitchers have a collective 3.55 ERA, which ranks seventh in the majors. Baltimore is 17-23 on the road and 33-42 overall. The Orioles are 21-8 in games when they out-hit their opponents. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The Orioles are ahead 3-1 in the season series. TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 12 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 38 RBIs while hitting .259 for the Yankees. Jazz Chisholm is 10 for 34 with two doubles and a home run over the past 10 games. Cedric Mullins has 11 doubles and 12 home runs for the Orioles. Colton Cowser is 9 for 37 with a double and four home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 3-7, .201 batting average, 2.20 ERA, outscored by four runs Orioles: 7-3, .268 batting average, 3.68 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs INJURIES: Yankees: Oswaldo Cabrera: 60-Day IL (ankle), Yerry De Los Santos: 15-Day IL (elbow), Marcus Stroman: 15-Day IL (knee), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Gil: 60-Day IL (back) Orioles: Adley Rutschman: day-to-day (abdominal), Cade Povich: 15-Day IL (hip), Jorge Mateo: 10-Day IL (elbow), Ryan Mountcastle: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Cody Poteet: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler O'Neill: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Grayson Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Albert Suarez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

Orioles play the Yankees leading series 1-0

Baltimore Orioles (33-42, fifth in the AL East) vs. New York Yankees (43-32, first in the AL East) New York; Saturday, 1:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Orioles: Zach Eflin (6-3, 4.81 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 38 strikeouts); Yankees: Clarke Schmidt (3-3, 3.16 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 60 strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yankees -169, Orioles +142; over/under is 9 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles meet the New York Yankees leading the series 1-0. New York has a 22-16 record in home games and a 43-32 record overall. Yankees pitchers have a collective 3.55 ERA, which ranks seventh in the majors. Baltimore is 17-23 on the road and 33-42 overall. The Orioles are 21-8 in games when they out-hit their opponents. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The Orioles are ahead 3-1 in the season series. TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 12 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 38 RBIs while hitting .259 for the Yankees. Jazz Chisholm is 10 for 34 with two doubles and a home run over the past 10 games. Advertisement Cedric Mullins has 11 doubles and 12 home runs for the Orioles. Colton Cowser is 9 for 37 with a double and four home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 3-7, .201 batting average, 2.20 ERA, outscored by four runs Orioles: 7-3, .268 batting average, 3.68 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs INJURIES: Yankees: Oswaldo Cabrera: 60-Day IL (ankle), Yerry De Los Santos: 15-Day IL (elbow), Marcus Stroman: 15-Day IL (knee), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Gil: 60-Day IL (back) Orioles: Adley Rutschman: day-to-day (abdominal), Cade Povich: 15-Day IL (hip), Jorge Mateo: 10-Day IL (elbow), Ryan Mountcastle: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Cody Poteet: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler O'Neill: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Grayson Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Albert Suarez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

New York Post

2 hours ago

• New York Post

Anthony Volpe's slump hits 0-for-24: Timing and rhythm ‘a little bit off'

Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free Anthony Volpe entered Friday in the midst of a 0-for-20 slump, with Aaron Boone saying the shortstop's swing has been 'off.' 'It comes down to timing and rhythm and making good swing decisions and [being] on time for pitches to do damage with,' Boone said. 'And that's been a little bit off.' Advertisement Volpe went hitless again in the Yankees' 5-3 loss to the Orioles on Friday night at the Stadium, with Boone calling it 'a tough night, tough two games. He's just got to get on time. I feel he's a little late getting into position.' The shortstop, who went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts, hasn't been able to replicate his postseason success so far this year. In the playoffs, Volpe showed power to all fields — helping lead the offense, along with Juan Soto — that hasn't been around as much during the first half of this season. Advertisement That's been especially true of late. But hitting coach James Rowson doesn't think Volpe's swing is too far from where it was late last year. 'Where Volpe is, I don't look at his swing of going down the road of being off,' Rowson said. 'It's the normal ebbs and flows of a swing. A couple of things can combine to go wrong, and in a short period of time, you can get to 20 at-bats in a hurry without your swing being off. We're looking for one or two at-bats or a game for him to find that good timing.' Anthony Volpe, who went 0-for-4, strikes out swinging in the seventh inning of the Yankees' 5-3 loss to the Orioles on June 20, 2025. Robert Sabo for New York Post Advertisement The extended hitless streak sank Volpe's OPS to .710, the lowest it's been since April. Aaron Judge said his advice to Volpe was to 'keep going. He's been through it before. He's a guy that will definitely outwork everybody in this room. I have confidence in him.' One American League scout said: 'There's a lot of ground balls to the pull side. It's what he's done a lot his whole career. I was impressed with what he did in the playoffs, but I don't see him doing it regularly. He's just too pull-happy.' Anthony Volpe reacts dejectedly after striking out in the seventh inning of the Yankees' loss to the Orioles. Robert Sabo for New York Post Advertisement Rowson countered: 'What we saw in the playoffs is real. We got a glimpse of it. He can drive the ball to all fields and still see it come out at times. But whether it's the pitching or other things that happen, it's not as consistent at different times. We're fighting to get to that point.' With the Yankees in the middle of 16 games without a day off, Volpe is likely due to get a day off in the coming days, and he often responds well to that, but his recent slump exacerbated what was already a rough time for the Yankees offense. Pablo Reyes elected free agency Friday rather than accept an outright assignment. The 31-year-old went 6-for-31 with a .468 OPS in 24 games, with no clear role on the roster. Cody Bellinger, who had six hits, including two for extra bases, in his previous three games, wasn't in Friday's lineup against 35-year-old rookie right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, who has slightly reverse splits and is more effective against lefties. Advertisement Jasson Domínguez entered Friday just 3-for-21 in his previous eight games, one of several slumping Yankee players. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in the loss.