On July 31, the Yankees were up against the Tampa Bay Rays when an interesting drama unfolded. José Caballero, a utilityman who had started the day on the Rays’ bench, entered the game in the fifth inning, turned a double play, and even took an at-bat. Then, over a prolonged rain delay, his world tilted. No longer was he a Ray; he was a Yankee.

Caballero, notably emotional, hugged his now former teammates. The trip to his new team was just a walk across the diamond. “It’s definitely weird, but you’ve seen it on TV multiple times,” said Rays infielder Brandon Lowe. Inside the home dugout, Yankees Manager Aaron Boone was confused as well.

“I just saw Caballero in the clubhouse, so that was a little odd,” Boone admitted, before further adding, “I saw him actually hugging people in the eighth. I knew we were definitely in the picture, so I figured maybe that was the case, but I wasn’t sure.”

The trade itself was a standard deadline deal, but what came next turned it even more interesting. Caballero’s first interview in pinstripes was a revealing moment for him as a player. When asked how he felt, he said, “A lot of feelings, you know. Because like I said before, I’m really grateful for what [the Rays] did to me, but at the same time I grew up a Yankees fan, so I was, you know, happy and sad at the same time.”

Afterwards, when he was asked about his favorite player growing up, Caballero was quick to answer without any hesitation: “Jeter.”

Further explaining the whirlwind of a mid-game swap, he added, “Everything happened so quickly. You have to pick up and move over, switch teams, and now you gotta give your best and hopefully bring a championship to this city.” The 28-year-old later dropped the quote of the day as well, one that encapsulated his bizarre situation. Asked about switching sides mid-game, he said, “I was winning today regardless.” Funny, isn’t it?

Brian Cashman, the Yankees’ general manager, explained the logic behind the acquisition. He lauded Caballero’s unique skill set and what it would add to the roster. “With José Caballero, we got a nice athletic infielder that can defend and pinch-run at a high level,” the GM said. “So that’s a nice weapon.”

The Caballero deal was directly linked to another big move on the Yankees’ roster. Shortly before acquiring him, the Bombers traded infielder Oswald Peraza to the Los Angeles Angels.

Why did the Yanks trade Oswald Peraza?

The once top prospect, Peraza, had struggled to get on track at the major league level. He had the opportunity to solidify his position at third base, but he couldn’t. The recent addition of Ryan McMahon reduced his role further.

Peraza, however, took the news like a pro, thanking the Yankees for giving him an opportunity. “I’ll be forever grateful to the Yankees organization for giving me an opportunity to embark on my career,” he said through an interpreter. “Just grateful for that. It’s kind of tough, my energy level might be a little low right now, but everything happens for a reason, and I keep moving forward.”

The Yankees swapped Peraza for Caballero, who is a versatile talent and offers something new. While his slash line of .226/.311/.331 is modest, his influence extends far beyond the box score. He is a defensive whiz, able to field shortstop, second base, and third base as well as the outfield positions. His most electrifying tool is his speed; he led the A.L. with 44 stolen bases last year and was tied for first in the majors this season at the time of being traded, with 34.

Yankees fans and players are already familiar with Caballero’s competitive presence. In 2023, he famously got under the skin of ace Gerrit Cole with his pitch clock gamesmanship, a moment that cemented his reputation as a fearless character. Boone hinted at that history during his opening conversation with his new player. “I said, `We’ve had some battles, but I like your game.’ So I think he brings a lot to the table.”

Was the Yankees’ decision influenced by Anthony Volpe’s recent struggles? Well, it doesn’t seem so. Going by Cashman’s words, it had more to do with adding depth and versatility to the roster than anything else. What do you think about this trade?