MLB analyst Chris McMonigle of WFAN Sports Radio offered a bold take on how the Yankees should promote young talent George Lombard Jr. to shortstop ahead of the struggling duo of Jose Caballero and Anthony Volpe. McMonigle’s comments came during a radio show.
Urging the Yankees to make the change, McMonigle highlighted the need for the organization to seriously address the situation in the infield and make a long-lasting, impactful change at the position, which was once dominated and immortalized by Derek Jeter. Furthermore, he called for the change before the Yanks head into the postseason.
“How much worse could he be? Call him up And see what you can get and then make a decision. You get a week and a half, two weeks, of watching him play, and then you make a determination on whether you need to add a shortstop at the deadline. He [Lombard] needs time; call him up, but I’m sorry I don’t want Caballero, nor do I want Volpe to be the starting shortstop for game one of the ALDS,” McMonigle said.
“Yes, I’m skipping over the wild card series. Screw it. This team’s going to win the division, but they can’t like shortstop; it needs to be addressed. And when I see Jon Heyman’s reports and other reports, the Yankees aren’t looking to address the shortstop. I disagree,” he added.
Senior MLB Insider Reports Lombard Jr. Could Replace Jose Caballero And Anthony Volpe
Yankees insider Ryan Garcia has reported that the organization might be looking to fast-track and promote the 21-year-old SS to replace underperforming Volpe and Caballero. Lombard was the 26th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft and could be well on his way to making his major league debut after spending some time with their triple-A affiliates in the minors.
According to reports, the Bombers could wait until August 15 to promote the 21-year-old SS, which would benefit the organization by allowing them to protect their Prospect Promotion Incentive Draft Pick in the forthcoming years as the Yanks aspire to build a solid farm system.
Currently, the Yankees are 58-45 on the season, holding the second spot in the AL East, two games behind the leaders, the TB Rays. They opened a three-game series against the Phillies with a 1-0 shutout win in Game 1 on Friday night.
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