The Tampa Bay Rays have traded speedster Jose Caballero to the New York Yankees in exchange for Everson Pereira and a player to be named later or cash considerations. The trade unfolded during a game between the two clubs in New York, with Caballero seen hugging teammates in the Rays dugout. It’s a somewhat shocking trade between two rivals and a Rays team that didn’t necessarily wave the white flag at this trade deadline.
Rays Ship Speedster To The Bronx
Caballero, 28, is in the third year of his major league career, having spent the past two in Tampa Bay. The Arizona Diamondbacks originally drafted him in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB draft. The Panamanian played 104 games for Seattle in 2023 before being sent to the Rays in January 2024. Caballero helped fill the void left by Wander Franco and collected 44 stolen bases in 2024, leading the American League.
How about this? The Yankees have acquired Jose Caballero from the Rays for Everson Pereira and a PTBNL. Caballero will be pulled from Yankees-Rays game. He will only have to walk from the third base side to the first side to meet his new team. He’s tied for MLB lead with 34 SB.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) July 31, 2025
That speed has again carried over to 2025, and the Yankees have instantly improved their team speed. His 34 steals are tops in the American League, even though he is only slashing .226/.328/.312 with two home runs, 27 RBIs, and an 81 OPS+. Positional versatility is another important element of his game. He has played the outfield, but his best work is at shortstop, with three outs above average this season. Caballero talked about the trade to the Yankees after the Rays lost a four-game series in the Bronx. He noted his appreciation for the Bronx Bombers and Rays by saying, “…I grew up a Yankee fan and so happy and sad at the same time.”
The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired OF Everson Pereira and a PTBNL or cash considerations from the New York Yankees in exchange for INF Jose Caballero.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 31, 2025
Who Are The Rays Getting?
The Rays are getting 24-year-old Pereira, and his primary position is the outfield. At first glance, it’s a little puzzling where the Rays will fit him into their lineup on the grass. Pereira will be a depth piece fighting with a bevy of outfielders for playing time. He was a highly ranked prospect not that long ago. The Yankees gave him every opportunity to prove himself, but injuries and performance have taken hold. The native of Venezuela had a brief look with the Yankees in 2023 but posted a measly .151/.233/.194 in 103 trips to the plate. A UCL surgery disrupted his career in June 2024.
Things are getting better this season at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. He is hitting .254/.357/.507 with seven of his 19 home runs in July. Importantly, Pereira cut his number of strikeouts in half this month compared to last month. There are a handful of things to dream about, and the Rays feel he has something in the tank.
The Bottom Line
The Rays still have a speedy team. The 143 stolen bases are 22 higher than the Chicago Cubs, the next closest team. Accounting for the vast majority of that total is none other than Chandler Simpson with 32 himself. Pereira is not a burner on the bases, but he provides a couple of benefits. The Rays could unlock something in Pereira and see if a change of scenery is exactly what the doctor ordered. In all likelihood, Caballero is not going to see a boatload of playing time with the Yankees as a depth option. Still, he provides adequate cover if Anthony Volpe continues to struggle at shortstop. If the Yankees are lucky enough to make the postseason, expect manager Aaron Boone to call on this guy as a pinch runner during the nail-biting stages of a playoff game.
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