We’re witnessing Anthony Volpe’s final stretch with the Yankees

It's rare for a shortstop of Francisco Lindor's caliber to be on the trade market, but that's exactly the case with the Mets, who are already in full sell-off mode.

But despite “Mr. Smile” being available, the New York Yankees don't seem to be in the running—or in any other race—to acquire the services of a player at the number six position.

That means the Bombers will have to find solutions from within the organization. And that clearly can't be Anthony Volpe.

In fact, for several months now, the Bronx club has been testing what their lineup would look like without the 25-year-old. It began last September, when Jose Caballero played a few games at shortstop, demonstrating just how important he could be to the New York organization.

Then, this year, when it was time for Volpe to return from the injured list, the Yankees decided to send him down to the minors. Volpe eventually returned to the Big Apple due to a string of injuries, and while it hasn't been a total failure like last year in his case, it hasn't been great either.

Ultimately, the month of July provided one of the most damning pieces of evidence that the Yankees are currently phasing Volpe out, as Caballero has had 38 plate appearances this month, while Volpe has only 22 to his credit.

Volpe made two starts against the Minnesota Twins, and during a four-game series at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, he started one game and served as a pinch hitter in another. Volpe started only one game against the Washington Nationals, and it was Caballero who took the field for the first game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.

All of this to say that we are most likely witnessing Volpe's final days in the Yankees' pinstripes.

To think that General Manager Brian Cashman didn't even bother to acquire Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, or Trevor Story, choosing instead to give his protégé a chance.

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