Anthony Volpe, the Yankees’ Gold Glove shortstop from 2023, is about to get some reps at third base for the final five games of the regular season, according to manager Aaron Boone’s latest chat on Talkin’ Yanks. This move comes as the Bronx Bombers are locked in as the American League’s No. 4 seed, with the Tampa Bay Rays already having snagged the AL East title. It’s all about gearing up for next week’s Wild Card series, folks.
Boone’s Wild Card Blueprint: Rest and New Looks
Look, the regular season is winding down, but for the Yankees, the real work is just beginning. Boone wants to get some of his everyday guys a breather, which totally makes sense heading into a high-stakes Wild Card series. But he’s also trying out new defensive alignments, and that’s where Volpe at the hot corner comes into play. While George Lombard Jr. will stay put at shortstop for these last five games, Volpe’s move isn’t just a casual experiment; it’s a calculated gamble as they eye the postseason.
Volpe’s Versatility: A Risky Bet?
Now, Volpe spent most of his time at second base after getting optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre back in early August. He even filled in at second for Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the Majors when Chisholm was sidelined with a sprained thumb. At Triple-A, he logged 19 starts at second, 15 at shortstop, and only three at third. The source even says the hot corner is “mostly unfamiliar” for Volpe. So, yeah, this isn’t his natural habitat, but Boone and the Yankees clearly feel like they have nothing to lose by testing him out. Think about it: an injury to Jose Caballero, Ryan McMahon, or Amed Rosario in the postseason could be brutal, and having Volpe as an emergency option at third could be clutch.
The Yankees are headed straight into the Wild Card series next week, and every decision now is about finding that edge. Watching how Volpe handles the unfamiliar hot corner, especially with the regular season wrapping up, is going to be super interesting. It’s all about getting those pieces right for what’s coming, and you know they’re focused on making a run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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