Aaron Boone Admits Yankee Gold Glove Infielder May Be on the Way Out
Most of the time, the Yankees stick to a carefully scripted narrative, especially when it comes to their favored players. Manager Aaron Boone, in particular, is known for his unwavering support and measured words. That’s why his recent comments stood out, hinting at a shift in the team’s perspective toward a player once considered untouchable. In a rare moment of candor, Boone’s words broke from tradition, leaving fans and insiders alike to wonder. Has the gold standard in the Yankees’ infield finally begun to tarnish?
Anthony Volpe now faces his first true challenge for the shortstop position, and it’s no coincidence that the Yankees have made their shifting stance public. The arrival of Jose Caballero is more than just a depth move; it’s a direct threat to the handed-down throne Volpe has occupied. Unlike previous backups, Caballero brings a skill set that rivals Volpe’s on both sides of the ball. The numbers make the comparison unavoidable.
Volpe, once hailed as the Yankees’ shortstop of the future, has put up a .222 average and .283 OBP over his first three seasons, with 52 home runs and 70 stolen bases in 472 games. His .379 slugging percentage and .662 OPS suggest some pop. However, his on-base skills and consistency have lagged. Defensively, despite a Gold Glove, he’s made 52 errors with a .968 fielding percentage and 23 defensive runs saved.
Caballero, meanwhile, has quietly outperformed Volpe in several key areas. Over 369 games, he’s hit .228 with a .657 OBP, noticeably better than Volpe’s on-base numbers, and swiped 119 bags, leading the AL twice. Though he offers less power with 18 home runs, he’s more efficient on the bases and has nearly matched Volpe’s run production relative to playing time. Defensively, Caballero has committed fewer errors, posted a higher fielding percentage of .973, and nearly equaled Volpe’s DRS with 22 in fewer games.
For the first time, Volpe’s hold on shortstop is truly in jeopardy. The Yankees’ brass is sending a clear message. Caballero isn’t just another backup; he’s a legitimate contender for the starting job. If the 2023 Gold Glove shortstop can’t elevate his game, the organization may finally be ready to hand the keys to someone new, and this time, the numbers support the change.
Aaron Boone’s recent comments about Volpe sounded almost like an afterthought, but their significance was hard to miss. He stated that Volpe will be a frontline shortstop in this league, yet quickly tempered the praise by adding that everyone’s path is not linear. In context, Boone’s words were more than just coach-speak; they reflected the organization’s growing doubts. By suggesting the 2023 Gold Glove shortstop’s breakthrough might come somewhere else, Boone subtly revealed a shift in the Yankees’ thinking, implying that the club is no longer certain Volpe can fulfill his potential in New York. The addition of Caballero has accelerated the timetable for Volpe to re-establish himself at shortstop, and Boone’s tone made it clear that the Yankees recognize an upgrade may be needed. If Volpe can’t raise his game soon, all options, including moving him off shortstop or even off the roster, are now firmly on the table.
The Yankees’ decision to play the 2023 Gold Glove shortstop while hurt and then rushing him back from surgery epitomizes the kind of mismanagement that keeps them from reaching championship heights. By stubbornly dying on the hill of their Jersey kid, the organization has allowed the shortstop position to become a persistent liability, defensively and offensively, dragging down the team’s aspirations year after year. Instead of making the tough, objective choices that fuel title runs, the Yankees have clung to sentiment and hope. In the end, this refusal to move on from Volpe is more than just a missed opportunity; it’s the final nail in the coffin of his reign and a stark reminder of why the Yankees continue to fall short. Though very late in the game, the Yankees have finally come to understand this.
