Yankees’ Brian Cashman seemingly opens door for Anthony Volpe to lose starting job

It obviously wasn’t an ideal season for New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, but reports indicated after the offseason began that he was dealing with a torn labrum in his left shoulder and underwent surgery. 

Labrum tears are extremely difficult to come back from and aren’t something Volpe should be criticized for. It’s a major injury that often impacts players on both sides of the ball.

That said, this is the Yankees, and fans expect greatness, something Volpe hasn’t consistently shown yet during his time with the organization. 

Because of that, and other factors, there could be a real competition at shortstop. When speaking about that possibility, Brian Cashman made it clear that players have to earn their spots.

“I have no idea where things can go,” Cashman said, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. “The game separates it all, the men from the boys, (and) dictates who should and who shouldn’t be playing over the course of time from the roster that the manager has.

“People continue to earn their playing time or they don’t. In some cases, if you don’t have alternatives, somebody stays in that lane continuing to play unless you import something else. But if it’s competition off the guys on the club, may the best man win and keep it.”

It remains uncertain what this means for Volpe moving forward, but if the Yankees can find a trade for an elite shortstop, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner explore that option.