The New York Yankees‘ season can finish on Wednesday night time.
They’re relying on Jose Caballero to assist stop that from taking place in opposition to his former staff, the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees made a few lineup modifications on Wednesday, and certainly one of them is Caballero. He’s in there at third base and batting ninth.
He’s joined as a brand new face within the lineup by Anthony Volpe, who’s at second base for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
However contemplating that it’s Caballero in opposition to his former staff, and since he’s not all the time a 3rd baseman, it’s a very fascinating name.
Why Jose Caballero is Beginning for Yankees
Caballero is within the lineup for Ryan McMahon, whose bat hasn’t been adequate within the year-and-a-half because the Yankees bought him, and who has not remained nearly as good defensively as he was earlier in his profession.
Merely put, Caballero is the kind of participant who can carry the Yankees a spark.
He’s bought a pest-like nature to him, and he does a bit little bit of all the things. This season, for instance, Caballero hit 14 dwelling runs and likewise stole 34 bases.
His OPS of .655 wasn’t nice, and it’s due largely to the truth that Caballero not often works a stroll. However he can put stress on the opposite staff — by means of his near-obnoxious time-usage on the plate, his pace on the bases and his sneaky ambush energy.
Caballero can play all around the diamond, and third base was his second most typical place this season. He appeared in 37 video games there in 2026.
His most typical place was shortstop, the place he performed 70 video games. Supervisor Aaron Boone’s belief in Caballero at shortstop emphasizes the extent of defender he’s.
Caballero additionally appeared at second base and in left area, proper area and heart area.
His presence within the lineup additionally permits for some late-game modifications — if Boone must carry another person in, Caballero can transfer to a special spot.
And yeah, he’s in opposition to his former staff.
Revisiting Rays Commerce of Jose Caballero to Yankees
The Yankees traded for Caballero earlier than the 2025 commerce deadline to bolster their order with a right-handed hitter who introduced some versatility to the equation.
The Rays solely bought Everson Pereira, a younger outfielder who hasn’t been capable of lower it within the main leagues, in return.
On the time of the commerce, the Rays have been shifting on from a participant that they didn’t have a constant utilization for, however Caballero has principally thrived with the Yankees.
The Rays will likely be hoping their commerce greater than a yr in the past doesn’t price them in his matchup.
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