The New York Yankees have grown accustomed to writing Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and a handful of others into the lineup card every day without a second thought. For most of the past three seasons, Anthony Volpe fit into that same category as the starting shortstop. But manager Aaron Boone’s latest comments suggest that spot may now be under daily review as Volpe struggles to find footing on both sides of the ball.
Boone Stands by Volpe, But Leaves Door Open
Before Tuesday’s 12–2 loss to the Detroit Tigers, Boone admitted he weighed starting José Caballero at shortstop instead of Volpe. The decision didn’t come lightly. Volpe started his 137th game of the year at the position, but the manager acknowledged that the call has shifted into a “day-to-day” evaluation as the Yankees chase a postseason berth.
Beat reporter Bryan Hoch of MLB.com captured Boone’s stance in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Aaron Boone was asked if shortstop is a ‘daily decision’ for him.
‘Look, Anthony [Volpe], I view as our shortstop. But Caballero is a really good player. I’m aware of that, and feel a lot of confidence anytime I put him in there. Obviously he’s gotten some more opportunities here of late where I have sat Anthony. We’re at a time of the year where we’re playing for a lot right now. I look at it as all hands on deck every day.’”
That balancing act reflects just how far Volpe has slid since his Gold Glove rookie season. Entering Tuesday, he carried a .206 batting average with a .661 OPS, ranking among the lowest of all qualified hitters. Since mid-June, those numbers have dipped even further, with a .166 average and .561 OPS across 72 games. The slump has only deepened in recent weeks, as Volpe has hit .150 since the start of August.
A Position Under the Microscope
The Yankees haven’t had a true safety net at shortstop until this summer, when the trade-deadline addition of Caballero gave Boone another option. The 28-year-old has produced a .233 average and .765 OPS in 26 games since arriving in the Bronx, while offering steady defense and speed. Boone has already hinted Caballero will see starts in the Tigers series and possibly in Boston this weekend, a signal that the team may be preparing to divide the role more evenly.
Defensively, Volpe’s drop-off has been as concerning as his bat. He has committed 19 errors, second most in the majors, and the defensive metrics that once fueled his rookie-year accolades have slipped. He continues to make highlight-reel plays, but the routine outs have become less reliable. Boone remains optimistic, citing Volpe’s strong October a year ago as proof that he can turn it around in time to matter most.
“I believe and hope that his best days are here for us down the stretch and hopefully on into October,” Boone said to the New York Post. “We saw that last year from him, how good he was for us in October. So we know he’s capable. But we got to help him get there and find more consistency. That’s been a challenge.”
The Yankees are still chasing Toronto in the AL East and trying to solidify a playoff spot. Every lineup decision carries weight, and Boone is making clear that the shortstop role will no longer be automatic. For now, Volpe remains the starter, but Caballero’s presence has turned the position into one of the biggest daily questions facing the Yankees down the stretch.
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