The New York Yankees are running out of time, but Aaron Boone doesn’t seem to think so. Despite benching Anthony Volpe for two straight games earlier this week, Boone told ESPN’s Jorge Castillo that he still views Volpe as the team’s “primary shortstop” for the stretch run. That vote of confidence might sound like loyalty, but it’s starting to look like a mistake at this point in the season.

Volpe’s struggles aren’t just a slump—they’re a season-long trend magnified in August. Since his four-hit night on August 1, Volpe has cratered at the plate. Before Tuesday, he was hitting .121 with one home run, four walks, and 19 strikeouts in 71 plate appearances. He’s 1-for-his-last-28 with a .414 OPS, which places him among the worst qualified hitters in the league. His overall .208 average and 86 wRC+ rank him near the bottom of major league shortstops, and since his 2023 debut, his 85 wRC+ ties him for last among 89 players with at least 1,500 plate appearances. That’s not just a cold stretch—that’s evidence of a player who hasn’t yet adjusted to the league. And every empty at-bat matters for a Yankees team locked in a race for the postseason.

What once could have been justified by elite defense has also slipped away. Volpe, who won a Gold Glove as a rookie and was a finalist last year, has regressed and ranks with -7 Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2025, ranking 21st out of 24 qualified shortstops. Boone can talk all he wants about consistency and mental toughness, but the numbers don’t lie: Volpe has been a below-average hitter and a below-average defender.

The fans at Yankee Stadium have noticed, too, responding with regular boos as the once-touted hometown star has turned into a liability. Boone insists that Volpe can handle the noise, and maybe he can. But toughness doesn’t score runs or save them in September.

The trade-deadline acquisition of José Caballero should have been the moment to pivot. Caballero isn’t a star, but he’s versatile, makes contact, and provides steady defense. He went 1-for-4 in Monday’s win against the Nationals while batting ninth, and he’s shown he can do the little things that matter in tight games. Boone admitted that having Caballero “makes those things a little easier.”

So why not make the hard call? With less than six weeks left, the Yankees don’t have the luxury of waiting for Volpe’s next hot streak. Boone is clinging to the idea of development when the team must prioritize wins. Boone is betting that Volpe’s potential will outweigh his production. That’s a gamble the Yankees can’t afford. This isn’t spring training or even June—it’s the last sprint toward October, and a team teetering on mediocrity doesn’t have margin for error.

Volpe may still be the future of the Yankees at shortstop. But for now, Boone’s refusal to consider a fundamental change could cost them the postseason.