Jose Caballero makes big Yankees statement in starting SS role

Jose Caballero got the start at shortstop in the Yankees' massive series opener against the Rays on Monday, and he made the most of it, which will only turn up the heat on Aaron Boone and company when it comes to their former hyped prospect.

Caballero went deep twice and drove in four to lead New York to a 5-1 win in Tampa, accounting for all four of the Yankees' first four runs of the night, before a Ben Rice solo shot in the ninth provided extra breathing room. The Yanks were being no-hit before Caballero stepped in with two on in the fifth and launched a huge three-run shot to temporarily quiet the burning questions about the Bombers' struggling offense.

The Rays got a run back on an otherwise dominant Cam Schlittler, but Caballero retook the three-run lead with a solo blast to left in the eighth, logging his first multi-homer game since August of last season, which also came against the Rays, his former team.

Caballero's big night, coupled with Anthony Volpe's recent struggles, raises a dilemma for Aaron Boone. With Trent Grisham back in the lineup, Caballero has not been needed in the outfield, opening the door for more playing time at shortstop, which could cut into Volpe's playing time. The long leash that the organization has given Volpe has been one of the biggest gripes from the fanbase in recent years, and Caballero exploding in his first start back at shortstop is sure to test the team's belief in Volpe. The Yankees have been notably better from a win/loss standpoint with Caballero as the starting shortstop, is seemingly comfortable against his former team, and has given the Yanks more defensive stability at shortstop compared to Volpe. All told, the expectation will likely be that Caballero remains the starter moving forward in this series, one that could determine New York's chances in the AL East.

The Yankee offense desperately needed a spark, and Caballero provided it, as his two home runs through the first eight innings were the Bombers' only two hits up to that point. He has set a career high in home runs already, despite not yet reaching the All-Star break and having missed some time to injury. He is one of four players in the American League to have 10 or more homers and 20 or more stolen bases on the season.

He is far from a perfect player, and had been hitting well below average heading into Monday night's game (posting a .437 OPS in his last 14 games), but Caballero made a statement that he is better than the alternative at shortstop, and the Yankees should adjust accordingly.