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MLB veteran fires back at Anthony Volpe 'bust' criticism
MLB veteran fires back at Anthony Volpe 'bust' criticism originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Anthony Volpe is struggling. That much is fair to say. But is he a bust? According to former MLB veteran Mike Cameron: absolutely not.
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Cameron fired back on social media Thursday after WFAN's Sal Licata called the Yankees shortstop 'a bust.' The longtime outfielder, who played 17 seasons in the majors, didn't hold back in defending the 23-year-old.
'Saying a kid in his 3rd season 'is a bust' who is 24yrs old playing SS for the Yankees .. that's a tough job period,' Cameron tweeted. 'Just a wild take because he is not playing up to fanatics standard.'
The response came after Licata's on-air remarks questioning whether the Yankees should start looking elsewhere at shortstop. Volpe is in the midst of a deep slump, batting just .205 with a .596 OPS over the last two weeks. It has started to look like he is bringing his struggles at the plate with him in the field. He made a critical mistake that cost the Yankees a game in the Angels' series.
Cameron is well aware that a broader perspective is often lost in the New York City echo chamber. He played two seasons across town with the Mets in 2004-05. He knows that playing shortstop in the Bronx, as a homegrown player, no less, comes with pressure few positions in sports can match. At just 24, Volpe is in his third full MLB season, still adjusting, still developing.
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He is also the father of a young player trying to establish himself in the league: Daz Cameron, who is now with the Brewers.
And while fans are free to be frustrated and the conversation around him will soon include the possibility of being replaced by prospect George Lombard, Jr., it's interesting to hear from guys with experience and expertise. Cameron is retired and a part-time advisor to the Seattle Mariners. He is a busy man, but he made a point to come to a young player's defense.
Former 17-year MLB outfielder Mike Cameron.© Lindsey Wasson-Imagn Images
Volpe's future remains unwritten. But for now, he's still the Yankees' shortstop. And according to one 17-year big leaguer who knows a thing or two about navigating tough markets and tougher slumps, writing him off as a bust isn't just premature — it's absurd.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
