There is a growing concern in both New York and San Francisco and the critics have gotten louder by the day about each team's shortstop position.
In New York the media has been relentless on bashing the Yankees Anthony Volpe. Volpe has now watched fans turn on him because of his bad base running, bad decisions, terrible defense and now hitting slump. Volpe was supposed to be the next great Yankee and the front office turned away from additions like pursuing Carlos Correa and Cory Seagar for the young SS. Even internally there were questions if the position should be given to him or Peraza.
In San Francisco the Giants needed some stability in the middle of their lineup and paid a very heavy price tag to get Willy Adames this past winter. Adames has slumped big time with the Giants and his defense has been brutal. From a team, and fan base, that watched superior defensive play from that position for years the grumbling and now outright boos have begun for Adames.
Both Volpe and Adams lead all shortstops in errors this year and their base running has been frustrating for fans, but for us in the fantasy baseball community I say ... who cares? Honestly at this point we have learned that both are having down years offensively, but neither are in danger of losing their jobs and if they are butchers in the field it only can lower their value if you are looking to trade for them.
Let the fan bases and media crush these players to the tune of a great song to fantasy players ears. Volpe, while he has been in a big offensive slump, has produced 13 home runs, 10 steals, 43 runs and an awesome 54 RBIs. Forget his .214 average and just say he is a 4 category producer right now.
To put that into perspective Volpe has as many home runs as Vlad Guerrero, which is tied for 12th among short stops. His 10 steals are just icing on the cake as is his runs scored. What makes Volpe so valuable is his RBIs. He is still in a great lineup and his 54 RBIs are 6th among short stops, only two behind Bobby Witt and Lindor.
Willy Adames has a similar case. Adames is hitting under .230, that's the bad, and he doesn't run. But, when you, and the Giants picked Adames you knew he wouldn't run much and his average was always in question. Adames though can still hit and has. He ranks 6th at the short stop position with 15 home runs and is only one off of 3rd place. 19 home runs is the most at the position. His 60 runs also put him 6th at the position and his 53 RBIs has him 7th among short stops.
Both Volpe and Adams are getting crushed by the media and their fans but it presents a buy low opportunity. Jump on the bandwagon of bashing these players, then go pick them up and you have a starting SS that both have been solid contributors in 3 categories at a weak position.