Yankees GM breaks silence on Anthony Volpe demotion: ‘We’re paid to make very difficult decisions’

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke Wednesday for the first time since the team optioned shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A.

“We’re paid to make very difficult decisions,” Cashman said in an interview with The New York Post. “This year’s New York Yankees team is a lot deeper. We have a lot more choices and (Jose) Caballero has emerged with his play. We kind of had to honor that. That snuck up on us a little bit, but that’s good.”

Like manager Aaron Boone earlier in the week, Cashman reiterated the play of Jose Caballero — who has been a bright spot for a surging Yankees team — was a bigger factor in the decision than any shortcoming from Volpe, who has struggled offensively in his big-league career.

“Last year, (Trent) Grisham was the guy that came up out of nowhere,” Cashman said. “A couple of years ago, I waiver-claimed Weaver and then he became our closer in 2024. You let the games play out and you honor the performance when warranted.

“Ultimately, when the rehab was up, it wasn’t anything Anthony Volpe was doing wrong, it was what (Caballero) was doing that led to that decision.”

For Thursday’s series finale versus the Rangers, Yankees -1.5 run line is listed at +140 on FanDuel. Our FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a comprehensive guide on how to navigate their platform.

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BRIAN DEAKYNE

So, what’s the plan for Volpe? Will he be back up with the big league club at some point this season? Will he remain at shortstop with George Lombard, Jr., the organization’s No. 1 prospect, seemingly locked in to that position?