New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

One issue that could derail Yankees amid hot start

By Tommy Fradenburg | Last updated 4/15/24

The New York Yankees are off to a dream start in 2024, leading MLB with 12 wins and winning their first five series. But they missed a sweep on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland against the Guardians largely because of something they've struggled with all season: infield defense.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo made two errors at first base in regulation. In the bottom of the 10th inning , second baseman Gleyber Torres and Anthony Volpe were unable to turn two on a sharply hit ball by Guardians DH Josh Naylor, allowing a run and keeping Cleveland's rally alive.

The Guardians get one across. Volpe bobbled on the transfer and was only able to get one out pic.twitter.com/ycq4wSlUgo
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 14, 2024

Two batters later Torres fumbled another ground ball, giving Naylor time to score tie the game at 7 before Andres Gimenez's walk-off sacrifice fly.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR INFIELD pic.twitter.com/eSvpPARG1O
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 14, 2024

The Yankees leave Cleveland tied with the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics for the most errors in MLB with 16 already, with five coming in their four losses. Also concerning has been the source of many of the errors.

Volpe won the Gold Glove in his rookie season and came out of the gate strong fielding the ball, but has struggled throwing it with three early errors. Rizzo, who has four Gold Glove's of his own, has already matched his 2023 error total of four in 76 fewer contests.

If New York is going to return to the World Series for the first time since 2009 and truly compete with the best teams in the National League, a sure-handed infield is a must. The return of third baseman DJ LeMahieu from his foot injury should help, and Rizzo and Volpe have earned the leash to work through their individual issues.

But this season is as championship-or-bust as it gets for general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. If they don't shore up that vulnerability, winning a championship (and both men keeping their jobs) becomes much less likely.

More must-reads: