Panamanian player José Caballero will take on a new challenge in his career by being named the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees for the start of the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Caballero, 29, arrives at this opportunity after joining the New York team on July 31st of last year, coming from the Tampa Bay Rays in a move aimed at strengthening a position that had raised doubts during the campaign. "I'm delighted, grateful to God for this beautiful opportunity," said Caballero. He expressed confidence in the team: "We trust the team we have, with the players we have." Caballero led all of Major League Baseball with 49 stolen bases. These numbers surpass what Anthony Volpe did, who bats .222 in three years as the Yankees' regular shortstop. "Very happy and ready to show what I'm capable of," Caballero told Enrique Rojas of ESPN Digital. Last season, Caballero batted .266 for the Yankees and added 15 stolen bases. "We're going to aim for the title," commented Caballero. "The goal is to win the World Series," he concluded. He also spoke about the backing of his teammates: "It makes you feel part of the group from the first day." "It's easy when you have a group like ours, which are guys who seek the benefit of the entire group," Caballero said about the reception his teammates gave him last year. The Panamanian comes from representing Panama in the World Baseball Classic. "The goal of everyone is to win and when you don't win, there are always questions. It has nothing to do with other teams reinforcing themselves," he noted. Volpe, who was operated on his left shoulder in October, will not be available at the start of the season. "This group of guys we have here is incredible. The help of the Captain (Aaron Judge) I think influences a lot," added Caballero.
