Yankees Face Crucial Shortstop Decision as Volpe Recovery Opens Door for Caballero
As the New York Yankees head into spring training, the focus isn’t just on bouncing back from a frustrating 2025 season-it’s on finding answers. And nowhere is that need more urgent than at shortstop.
Anthony Volpe, once touted as the next great homegrown Yankee, will miss the entirety of spring training after undergoing shoulder surgery. That absence opens the door to a position battle that could shape not just the Opening Day lineup, but potentially the future of the franchise’s infield.
With Volpe sidelined, the spotlight shifts to Jose Caballero. Acquired at last year’s trade deadline from the Rays, Caballero proved his value as a Swiss Army knife-playing five different defensive positions, pinch-running, pinch-hitting, and doing whatever was needed in the heat of a playoff push. Now, he’s the favorite to take over as the Yankees’ starting shortstop on Opening Day.
Caballero’s versatility is no longer a luxury-it’s a necessity. And if he performs well out of the gate, it could force the Yankees to make some uncomfortable decisions about Volpe’s long-term role.
Volpe’s Crossroads
Volpe made his debut in 2023 under a cloud of high expectations. The Yankees had passed on big-name free agents like Corey Seager in part because they believed Volpe was the answer.
And to his credit, he flashed promise-joining the 20/20 club as a rookie with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. But the issues were clear: his batting average and on-base percentage lagged far behind.
In 2025, the hope was for offensive growth. Instead, his defense-previously a strength-took a sharp dive.
Whether that decline was due to the shoulder injury or something deeper remains to be seen, but the numbers were hard to ignore. After posting +14 Outs Above Average in 2024, he dropped all the way to -7 in 2025.
That’s not just a dip-that’s a cliff.
The Yankees responded by bringing in Caballero. Now, with Volpe rehabbing and Caballero getting a full spring to show what he can do, the dynamic has shifted.
This isn’t just a temporary fill-in situation. If Caballero seizes the moment, the Yankees may have no choice but to rethink their long-term plans.
More Competition in Camp
The Yankees aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. They also swung a deal for Max Schuemann from the A’s-another capable glove who’ll get plenty of reps at shortstop this spring, especially with Caballero slated to play in the World Baseball Classic. That gives the coaching staff multiple looks at the position, and in a year where every decision matters, that kind of depth is invaluable.
This spring isn’t just about filling in gaps-it’s about setting the tone for a season with championship expectations. The Yankees know they’re in a two-year window with this current core.
After 2027, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon hit free agency, Cody Bellinger has an opt-out, and the team holds a decision on Giancarlo Stanton. Time is ticking.
And that’s why there’s no room for patience with Volpe. Not anymore.
Pressure from All Angles
The Yankees are already dealing with a battered rotation heading into camp. Cole and Rodon won’t be ready for Opening Day, which puts added pressure on young arms like Cam Schlittler to step up.
But even with the injuries, the expectations haven’t changed. This team is built to win now.
Aaron Judge is still in his prime. When healthy, the rotation can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the American League. But the Yankees have struggled to get consistent production from their homegrown players in this recent era-and that’s where the Volpe situation hits hardest.
He was supposed to be the exception. The one who broke through.
And maybe he still can be. But the leash is short, and the competition is real.
Caballero and Schuemann aren’t just stopgaps-they’re legitimate contenders for the job.
The Stakes at Shortstop
The Yankees open spring training on February 20 against the Orioles. The usual storylines will be there-who’s pitching, how Aaron Judge looks-but make no mistake: shortstop is the position to watch.
This isn’t just about who starts in April. It’s about who the Yankees trust in October. And if Volpe can’t prove that his 2025 struggles were injury-related-and fix them fast-his grip on the position could slip for good.
The Yankees aren’t waiting anymore. The window is open, and the clock is ticking.