Big Yankees opportunity opens for Caballero but Boone hurdle clouds

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NEW YORK — Jose Caballero’s moment with the New York Yankees might finally be here.

During the last season, Caballero struggled to prove he belongs in an everyday role. However, this offseason, the 28-year-old is suddenly in a position few expected.

With Anthony Volpe sidelined after shoulder surgery, Caballero could find himself as the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop in 2026.

The surgery, performed Tuesday, will keep Volpe out until at least April. General manager Brian Cashman admitted the timeline could stretch longer.

“Somebody will be playing shortstop, not him, Opening Day,” Cashman said Thursday during his postseason media session. “But that’s not a good thing for us either.”

That remark makes it clear how significant Volpe’s injury is for the Yankees. Still, it opens a rare door for Caballero. He stepped up last summer after being traded from Tampa Bay, impressing coaches and teammates with steady play in pinstripes.

Numbers tell a compelling story

Caballero’s performance after joining the Yankees spoke for itself. In 40 games, he hit .266 with a .372 on-base percentage and a .456 slugging percentage. His 134 wRC+ was among the best on the roster during that stretch.

By comparison, Volpe struggled through another uneven season. He posted a .212/.272/.391 line with an 83 wRC+ in 2025. While the shoulder issue likely contributed to his slump, patience within the organization appears to be thinning.

Caballero brought a different energy to the Yankees lineup. He stole 15 bases, hit three home runs, and added consistent contact and gap power that gave New York a spark. His quickness and ability to get on base created much-needed variety in the order.

His 92 percent zone contact rate represented a career-best mark, showing real progress. He also recorded a 9.5 percent barrel rate, which reflected higher-quality contact. Those gains suggest growth, not just a short hot streak.

Caballero unlocking more power in offseason

This offseason, Caballero is training at Driveline Baseball, a data-driven player development facility known for improving swing efficiency and biomechanics. He’s already showing measurable progress.

Video clips from Driveline sessions showed Caballero breaking personal records in motion capture testing. His average exit velocity increased by about three miles per hour between 2024 and 2025. One of his hardest-hit balls last season reached 114 mph.

That added strength could make a major difference. Caballero has never hit more than nine home runs in any season, but the new data indicates potential for more. If he can maintain his speed and contact skills while adding a few long balls, the Yankees may have found a valuable everyday bat.

A projected .340 on-base percentage with double-digit home runs would make him a solid offensive contributor. Combined with dependable defense, that production would bring balance to a team that has leaned too heavily on stars like Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger.

The Boone factor creates uncertainty

But even with his improved profile, one hurdle remains — Aaron Boone. The Yankees manager has praised Caballero for his versatility but often in the context of a bench role.

“He provides value off the bench,” Boone said a few days ago when discussing the infield picture. That comment highlights Boone’s possible reluctance to view Caballero as a regular starter.

The Yankees remain heavily invested in Volpe. The former first-round pick won a Gold Glove in 2023 and is considered a long-term cornerstone. He’s under team control for three more years through arbitration, giving the organization every reason to stay committed.

Boone acknowledged that Volpe’s offensive development is the missing piece. “For him to become that frontline shortstop, that’s got to improve,” Boone said. “He understands that. We understand that.”

Still, Boone’s faith in Volpe runs deep, and the organization continues to back the 24-year-old as its shortstop of the future. His shoulder surgery may buy him time, but it also opens a temporary door that Caballero can’t afford to waste.

A window of opportunity opens

Volpe’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. He’s expected to begin swinging a bat around February but won’t be cleared for full defensive activity until roughly six months post-surgery. That puts his readiness for Opening Day in question.

The Yankees start their 2026 season on March 25 in San Francisco. Under ideal circumstances, Volpe could return by mid-April, but even a minor setback could extend his absence into May.

That scenario sets up Caballero for an early-season audition. He could start 20 to 40 games at shortstop while Volpe heals. If he performs well, Boone and Cashman may face a tough choice — stick with the in-form player or revert to their long-term plan once Volpe returns.

In a results-driven city like New York, that kind of dilemma is common. But the way the Yankees handle it could shape both players’ careers.

Defensive versatility adds value

Caballero’s defensive range gives him an edge. He can handle shortstop, second base, and third base capably, allowing the Yankees to shuffle their infield when needed. That flexibility was crucial in September, when he filled multiple roles without missing a beat.

The alternatives are thin. Oswaldo Cabrera offers depth but hit just .243 last year and has limited power. Top prospect George Lombard Jr. remains in Double-A Somerset and isn’t ready for MLB duty yet.

The free-agent market doesn’t offer much help either. Bo Bichette headlines the shortstop class but has defensive shortcomings. Other available players project more as backups or short-term fill-ins. That reality could convince the Yankees that Caballero, already in-house, is their best solution.

The verdict awaits

Caballero’s breakout stretch in 2025 and his offseason training have set the stage for what could be the most important season of his career. He’s shown he can hit for average, get on base, steal bases, and play solid defense.

Now, it comes down to whether Boone gives him the full opportunity. The manager’s loyalty to Volpe might keep Caballero on a short leash, but a strong start could make it impossible to ignore him.

The Yankees are at a crossroads with their shortstop position. Volpe needs to prove his shoulder is sound and his bat consistent, while Caballero must demonstrate that last year’s surge wasn’t a fluke.

Caballero’s mix of speed, contact, and growing power makes him an intriguing option. Whether Boone fully embraces that potential could determine not only the team’s early-season direction but also the balance of power in the infield.

For Caballero, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. For Boone, it’s a test of flexibility and trust in performance over pedigree.

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