The New York Yankees have had a shortstop problem for years now, and it's not helping in their quest for their first World Series title since 2009. They've started 2019 first-round pick Anthony Volpe the last three seasons, and he's slashing just .222/.283/.379 over 472 career games. Additionally, he led the AL with 19 errors last season.
Volpe is out until at least April as he recovers from shoulder surgery, per MLB.com. That leaves 2025 trade deadline acquisition Jose Caballero as the starting shortstop for now, who slashed .266/.372/.456 with three homers, nine RBIs, and 18 stolen bases over 40 games for the Yankees after they got him from the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He also led baseball with 49 stolen bases over 126 total contests.
Meanwhile, New York is trying out third baseman and fellow 2025 trade deadline acquisition Ryan McMahon at backup shortstop. The club put the 31-year-old at short for five innings in its 11-1 exhibition win over Panama on Tuesday, and he opened up about the experience postgame, via The New Post's Howie Kussoy.
“It feels, it looks so much different for me,” he said. “There’s a lot more space. I think I gained a little bit more respect for what these shortstops have to deal with on a daily basis. But it was fun getting out there. I botched one, but I feel like if I see that one a couple more times that would be no problem."
Although McMahon made an error on a routine grounder, that's what spring training is for. The veteran only had three innings at shortstop as a pro before Tuesday, so he could improve with more reps.
If both Caballero and McMahon play well at the position over the next few weeks, what do the Yankees do with Volpe when he's back?
Yankees Must Have Meritocracy
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McMahon slashed just .208/.308/.333 over 54 games for New York after it acquired him from the Colorado Rockies last season, but he recorded just four errors and a .971 fielding percentage. If he is more productive at the plate this season, he should earn consistent playing time.
Ditto for Caballero, who showed off his speed and glove work last season, as he totaled four errors and a .955 fielding percentage over 43 games for the Yankees. Volpe had a .963 percentage, but his errors were debilitating.
In short, New York can't hand Volpe his starting job back if his teammates play well on both sides of the ball. The organization won't get back to the mountaintop without accountability.