Yankees Reassess Anthony Volpe Role After Offseason Moves

The New York Yankees are at a crossroads with Anthony Volpe, their former first-round pick. They’re trying to balance long-term belief in his upside against the immediate need for production at shortstop.

As Volpe recovers from shoulder surgery and faces another critical season with the bat, an unexpected challenger has popped up: José Caballero. It’s shaping up to be a fascinating spring storyline in the Bronx—one that could shake up the Yankees’ infield plans for 2025 and beyond.

Anthony Volpe’s Injury and Recovery Timeline

The Yankees still feel optimistic about Volpe, but it’s now mixed with some realism about his health and performance. The 2019 first-rounder had surgery before May to repair a partially torn labrum in his shoulder—a tough injury for anyone, especially a player trying to lock down an everyday role at shortstop.

Timing-wise, the Yankees have started planning around his limitations. Volpe probably won’t swing a bat until mid-February, which delays his offensive ramp-up and complicates his early-season prep.

He also likely won’t get cleared to dive defensively until mid-April. That matters, since his game relies so much on range, effort, and aggression in the field.

What the Yankees Expect Post-Surgery

The club hopes the procedure will help Volpe, freeing him from the discomfort that may have messed with his swing. Still, there’s some doubt about whether he’ll feel like himself right away on either side of the ball.

That uncertainty is making the Yankees’ internal shortstop picture a lot more competitive than it was a year ago.

The José Caballero Factor: An Internal Answer at Shortstop?

While Volpe heals, the Yankees have quietly zeroed in on an in-house option who could fill the gap—and maybe push for more. José Caballero, who arrived midseason in 2024, impressed enough with his all-around game to look like the natural interim replacement at short.

Caballero brings something different than Volpe, but it fits what the Yankees need right now: athleticism, speed, and disruptive play on the bases. His bat, which people once saw as light, actually showed some life after he joined the team, turning him from a depth guy into a real option.

Parallels to Trent Grisham’s Unexpected Rise

Inside the organization, Caballero’s rise has drawn quiet comparisons to Trent Grisham’s surprising impact last season. Like Grisham, Caballero arrived with modest expectations and forced his way into the conversation through performance rather than pedigree.

If he keeps hitting and causing havoc on the bases, he could do more than just fill in—he might complicate the depth chart.

Volpe’s Offensive Struggles: Three Years of Mixed Signals

Part of why this shortstop conversation is even happening is Volpe’s uneven offensive track record. Over the last three seasons, his OPS hasn’t matched what people expected from a player once touted as a cornerstone.

The Yankees have asked him to tweak his approach, adjust his swing decisions, and refine his contact profile. The big breakthrough just hasn’t quite arrived.

There were flashes, though. Before his shoulder issue worsened in 2025, Volpe posted a .768 OPS over 33 games—a decent sample that made it look like he was turning a corner.

Once the injury set in, that progress stalled and his numbers dropped again. It’s just more proof that he hasn’t quite put it all together at the plate yet.

Defense and Postseason Moments Still Matter

Volpe isn’t a one-dimensional player. He’s shown above-average defensive instincts, steady hands, and the knack for making big plays when it counts.

His glove and internal clock at shortstop were crucial throughout 2024. He also delivered some clutch postseason performances that definitely didn’t go unnoticed inside the clubhouse. Those flashes of “big-game” DNA matter, especially in New York.

Cashman’s Message: Playing Time Must Be Earned

Manager Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman have said they’re confident in Volpe’s future. But there’s a subtle shift in tone beneath the surface.

Cashman’s made it clear that playing time has to be earned, not handed out based on reputation or draft status. That opens the door to a real competition at shortstop if the roster stays mostly the same.

The Yankees have been linked—at least in theory—to bigger-name options like:

But unless they pull off a blockbuster, the more likely scenario is an internal battle between Volpe and Caballero. Every at-bat and every play in the field will be under the microscope.

Volpe’s Fight to Reclaim His Role

Once Volpe gets fully cleared, he might end up in a strange spot. He’ll have to fight for a job that everyone figured was his for the next ten years.

The Yankees know this could happen. They still believe in him, but they’re making it obvious—they can’t just wait around, hoping potential turns into actual results.

In 2025, shortstop in the Bronx will be about more than just who shows up on the lineup card. Anthony Volpe stands right in the middle of what might be the most interesting position battle the Yankees have had in years.

 
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