Amed Rosario has by far the most shortstop experience of any of their deep infielders. He was an everyday shortstop in Cleveland earlier in his career, but struggled defensively and was largely pushed out of the position. Rosario started eleven games there in 2024 and played all two innings at the position last year. He’s more of a second/third baseman at this stage of his career, though his biggest appeal off the bench is his ability to throw left-handed. Max Schumann And Oswaldo Cabrera can cover the shortstop, but fits better at second or third base with options out Jorbit is alive has never started a professional game.
McMahon’s professional experience at shortstop includes three innings for the 2020 Rockies. He didn’t play there at all in the minor leagues. At 6-foot-1, 217 pounds and a below-average runner, he’s clearly better suited for work at third base. McMahon is an excellent defender at the hot corner and ranks second at the position in Defensive Runs Saved (behind Ke’Bryan Hayes) and third in Outs Above Average (behind Hayes and Michael Garcia) of the past three seasons. His range would be greater at shortstop, but he would have to have the hands and arm strength to make the routine plays.
That might be all it takes for the Yankees to consider him for a temporary backup role. He would still spend the vast majority of his time at third base. If they feel McMahon has a better role at shortstop than Rosario, they can use Caballero as a pinch-hitter in key spots and be better protected in the event of an injury.
This would also benefit scheduling flexibility. Cabrera and Schuemann still have options left. They have assigned three banking jobs between Rosario, Paul Goudschmidt and a backup catcher (probably JC Escarra). If they don’t have to make another short stop, it would mean Vivas could break camp or consider staying Jason Dominguez as the fourth outfielder. If they want a true shortstop off the bench, they should probably select a non-roster invitee, like Braden Shewmake, Bag Short or Paul DeJong on the 40-man roster.
Ideally, this will all be a short-term arrangement. Volpe could return early in the season, returning Caballero to the super-officiant role he was tailor-made for. The 24-year-old discussed his rehabilitation with Bryan Hoch of MLB.comnoting that he has started a hitting progression but is not yet at a point where he can risk diving for ground balls. Volpe indicated he’s not closing the door on making his season debut before April is out, though Hoch added that GM Brian Cashman suggested a May return is more likely.
Volpe was a below-average hitter in each of his first three seasons in the big leagues. He has shown 20-20 potential, but with a sub-par batting average and on-base percentage. He got off to a better start last year before suffering a shoulder injury in early May. Even though the offensive regression came anyway, the injury seemed to take its toll on the other side of the ball. The 2023 Gold Glove winner had a surprisingly poor season defensively. Caballero has been the better player this stretch, but the Yankees are hoping Volpe can reclaim the starting job with more vigor once he’s healthy.
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