CABALLERO IS JUST BETTER THAN VOLPE

 

The Yankees may have dropped one to Boston last night, but one thing became painfully obvious: José Caballero should be the everyday shortstop. Period. End of debate.

Of course, Aaron Boone is still strangely fixated on Anthony Volpe, but Caballero has made it clear that a shortstop who plays with energy, flair, and actual production changes everything. With him on the field, the Yankees look like a team capable of running down the AL East. With Volpe? They looked like they were running in quicksand.

When Volpe struggled, he handed out free outs like coupons at a grocery store. Caballero, on the other hand, balances things out. Even if he has a rough at-bat, he’ll turn around and flash leather, or wreak havoc on the bases. That kind of tradeoff? No downside whatsoever.

Caballero himself kept it humble, saying consistent playing time “helps a lot,” and when asked about his defense he replied, “I’m trying to help the team. It doesn’t matter what I do. As long as we keep winning games, I’m gonna be happy.” Meanwhile, the man has gone 6-for-18 with two doubles and a homer while filling in for Volpe.

And here’s the irony: Caballero says consistent playing time helps. Funny, because Volpe played every single day and still managed to be a black hole in the lineup. Now, suddenly, he’s “injured.” Forgive me if I don’t buy it—this feels more like the Yankees putting him in bubble wrap, hoping they can hit reset next year to justify the marketing millions poured into him. Spoiler alert: busts don’t reboot.

The fact the Yankees are in the middle of a postseason chase while still fumbling around with their shortstop situation is insane. Back in July, this was already obvious. I said then on Bleeding Yankee Blue that Volpe needed to ride the bench. Had Boone acted then, Caballero could have been steadying the infield for months instead of days. But Boone is too emotionally invested, clinging to the hope that Volpe will figure it out. Guess what? He hasn’t.

Volpe hasn’t played since Tuesday, allegedly nursing a sore shoulder that required a cortisone shot. Fine—stay on the shelf. At this point, pulling Caballero for Volpe would be beyond foolish. Boone needs to stop coddling Volpe and play the hot hand.

The truth? Volpe should sit the rest of the season, including the playoffs. The Yankees need wins, not feelings. And Caballero, not Boone’s pet project, gives them the best shot.