​Anthony Volpe burst onto the scene as a Gold Glove-winning rookie, and the original expectation was clear: he would grow into an even better hitter while delivering elite defense. Now in his fourth season, that defensive excellence has slipped, and his bat remains only average. Through 42 games this year, he is posting a slash line of .242/.338/.326. Last season marked a nadir for his defense, and the early year brought a look at José Caballero at shortstop. Fans have questioned why Caballero hasn’t been given more opportunities in the shortstop role since Volpe’s return and why Volpe hasn’t shifted to second base.
“We’ve always had him as our shortstop, and he had surgery over the winter,” Aaron Boone explained before Wednesday’s game, via The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. “He’s coming back, and we really haven’t had—until Cabby walked in the door last year—a true competition-based situation there. And by the way, he’s been a really good shortstop. I hate to be the bearer of tough news, but that’s real. Has he had his struggles? Sure. But he’s also played really well out there in long stretches defensively.”
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Volpe’s defense this year has mostly been acceptable, but moving him to second base could enhance his versatility and might be a crucial step toward addressing the Yankees’ offensive struggles at third base. If Volpe mans the keystone, Jazz Chisholm Jr. could slide back to third base. Boone appears committed to keeping Volpe in the lineup regularly, but the team also needs a reliable avenue to increase Caballero’s playing time. Positioning Volpe at second could accomplish that, while Caballero—who has experience at third base—brings superior defending at shortstop to the mix.
The broader question, of course, is how the Yankees balance offensive production with defensive stability. Volpe’s transition to second base could open a doorway for Caballero to see more time at shortstop or third, depending on how the coaching staff wants to structure the infield alignment. Caballero’s versatility means he can contribute in multiple spots, but his best defensive value is at shortstop, where his presence can help stabilize the middle of the infield.
From a strategic perspective, the club faces a delicate calculus: preserve Volpe’s defensive value while unlocking more of his bat, or reallocate some of Volpe’s defensive responsibilities to optimize the lineup for maximum offense. A practical path could involve a hybrid approach—routinely slotting Volpe at second in matchups that favor his bat, while preserving his primary defensive role at shortstop when the team needs a stronger glove up the middle. This would also allow Caballero to accumulate more reps at short, ensuring the Yankees aren’t forced into a vacancy when Volpe rests or when injuries arise.
As the season unfolds, the coaching staff will likely continue evaluating infield combinations to maximize overall run production while maintaining defensive integrity. Volpe remains a talented player with room to grow, and this year’s adjustments could set the course for a more balanced, potent lineup moving forward. The question remains whether the strategic shift to volume-second-base playing time will yield the offensive lift the team seeks, while Caballero’s continued development could provide the necessary depth behind a high-variance hitting profile.