The New York Yankees didn’t just survive a knife-edge weekend at Fenway; they got their answer at shortstop. José Caballero should be the starter from here on out.
Caballero Delivers on Both Sides of the Ball
As Dan Martin of the New York Post reported, Caballero gave the Yankees run prevention and run creation in the same series, while starting five straight games at short—his longest stretch there this season. He left Boston with a loud swing and a louder statement: a seventh-inning homer off Steven Matz and a full-extension, run-saving stop in the eighth to end the inning. Those were the kind of two-way plays the Yankees have been missing from the position.
Manager Aaron Boone didn’t crown Caballero outright, but he acknowledged the impact. Boone told the Post that shortstop remains a “day-to-day” decision, yet praised Caballero’s defense and confidence, even while noting a few teachable mistakes. Coming from a manager who usually treads carefully with lineup declarations, that was significant.
Volpe’s Injury Opens the Door
This isn’t only about Caballero’s spark; it’s also about context. The New York Post previously reported that Anthony Volpe has been dealing with a partial labrum tear in his left shoulder since May, receiving another cortisone shot last week. The Yankees kept him out of the starting lineup in Boston, only making him available off the bench. That’s not the profile of an everyday shortstop down the stretch.
Boone has tried to split the difference publicly, saying Volpe is still “our shortstop” and admitting it’s a daily call. But Caballero’s steady glove and competitive at-bats have made the decision easier. Per Martin’s reporting, he’s gone 6-for-18 with two doubles and a homer in Volpe’s absence, all while flashing above-average range and athleticism.
The Yankees acquired Caballero from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline for this very reason: versatility, defense, and a veteran’s confidence. Boone told the Post that Caballero has been “really good out there,” both in New York and earlier this year with the Rays. That makes him more than a stopgap.
If the Yankees want to protect Volpe for October, this is how they do it. Start Caballero now, allow Volpe to heal, and keep the defense airtight heading into the postseason. As Martin noted, the Yankees saw this movie before—in 2022, when a patchwork shortstop mix failed them in the ALCS. This time, they have an internal option playing like a natural fit.
Could things change if Volpe’s shoulder recovers? Indeed, but now, Boone’s actions speak louder than his words. He’s trusting Caballero in meaningful games, and Caballero keeps rewarding that faith.
This weekend at Fenway proved it. José Caballero isn’t just filling in; he’s improving the Yankees. The shortstop job should be his from here on out.
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