NEW YORK — Let me get this straight: New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says he will “make the decision every day” as to who the team’s starting shortstop is between José Caballero and Anthony Volpe.Also: Volpe, who has never played second base in the majors, will begin to work out there and could play there sometimes, even though the Yankees have Jazz Chisholm Jr., Amed Rosario, Max Schuemann and Caballero, who all have experience at the position.Oh, and one more thing: Boone started Caballero — fresh off the injured list — at shortstop Friday night versus the Tampa Bay Rays, but didn’t commit to him as the everyday starter. Instead, when asked who’s going to be the regular starter, Boone replied, “We’ll see.”Got all that?It’s a little silly and it doesn’t make a lot of sense, though it’s probably going to work out like this in reality: Caballero will continue to get the majority of reps at shortstop, with Volpe on the bench.Caballero has earned it. He’s been one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. His 7 Defensive Runs Saved at short are tied for the second-most in MLB with the Rays’ Taylor Walls, just behind the Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. (8). Offensively, Caballero has been much better than expected, hitting .259 with four home runs, 13 RBIs, 13 steals and a .720 OPS. His 101 OPS+ signals he’s been a tick above league average at the plate in 41 games.Meanwhile, Volpe has played eight games, the majority of them with Caballero on the IL (middle finger fracture). He’s been productive with a .217 batting average (5-for-23) including two doubles and a 102 OPS+, and he’s looked fine defensively.But it shouldn’t be enough to unseat Caballero, who’s also brought energy and flair to the club.The case for Volpe getting time at second base is hard to understand. The Yankees have plenty of coverage at the position, even if Chisholm has been underwhelming, entering Friday hitting .239 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and a .689 OPS in 50 games.Would the Yankees really start Volpe over Chisholm against tough lefties, perhaps? Maybe, but sitting Chisholm for Volpe could get ugly.Plus, between Caballero and Volpe, it would make more sense to bounce Caballero to second base. But he shouldn’t have to move off shortstop, especially considering he’s been the team’s best option there.It does make sense if the Yankees think Volpe could be their second baseman next year with Chisholm possibly departing in free agency and prospect George Lombard Jr. potentially getting a shot at the starting shortstop role. In that scenario, Volpe should get work at second base, especially at Triple A, where he can take time to learn the position.Boone said he spoke with Caballero and Volpe about the situation. The manager said that “both guys are going to play.” But in one breath, he mentioned Caballero’s versatility, and in the next, he spoke about how Volpe would work some at second base.“As I told them each,” Boone said, “it’s not going to be the perfect scenario every single day. You may like or may not like a decision on any given day. But at the end of the day, we’re all working for the same thing.”The best way for the Yankees to work toward the same thing would be for Boone to give the everyday job to Caballero. If he sputters and they have to turn to Volpe, everybody would understand. But this idea that Boone will decide each day between them and that the Yankees may play Volpe out of position at second base when they have several other options? It just doesn’t make a lot of sense.May 22, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms