Yankees Trade Peraza, Welcome Caballero
Jose Caballero smiled, no longer needing a translator to express himself.
“I was winning today,” he remarked.
His day began in a very different place.
Oswald Peraza’s time with the Yankees has officially ended.
The team replaced him with Caballero, who came over from the opposing side.
Peraza was traded just before the deadline for outfield prospect Wilburson de Pena.
The Yankees also acquired Caballero from the Rays, after losing 7-4 in a game on Thursday, in exchange for Everson Pereira and a player to be named later.
Crying tears of joy, Caballero, who mentioned being a Yankees fan growing up, embraced his teammates from the Rays after hearing he was traded.
His transition wasn’t merely a walk from the visiting team’s dugout to the Yankees’ clubhouse.
“It all happened very quickly,” Caballero shared through translator Marlon Abreu. “You have to pick up, move, switch teams, and now you need to do your best and bring the championship to this city.”
At just 25, Peraza was once highly regarded, ranking in the top tier of Yankees prospects. He had a stellar run in the minors but faced challenges at the major league level. Now he has a chance on the West Coast.
After the Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment earlier, Peraza had an opportunity to take on a third base role.
However, his performance was less than stellar—he struggled offensively, committed errors on the field, and failed to prove himself as a viable long-term option. The Yankees subsequently brought in third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies, further decreasing Peraza’s chances.
“I am forever grateful to the Yankees organization for giving me the opportunity to embark on my career,” Peraza stated. “Thanks for that. It’s a bit tough; my energy levels may be a little low right now, but it all happens for a reason and I’ll continue to move forward.”
Caballero steps in to cover the roles vacated by Peraza, adding valuable defensive versatility.
In addition to playing shortstop and third base, he has experience in all three outfield positions as well.
Entering Thursday, Caballero led the league with 34 stolen bases, having finished the previous season with 44.
This year, he carries a .226/.311/.331 batting line, with a .638 OPS.
“We got a nice athletic infielder with Jose Caballero who can defend at a high level and serve as a pinch runner,” said general manager Brian Cashman. “It’s a great weapon.”
Cashman emphasized that acquiring Caballero was not a response to the struggles of shortstop Anthony Volpe, which the organization continues to support, but rather a move to enhance versatility, depth, and speed in the roster.
Caballero’s remaining minor league options also give the Yankees more roster flexibility compared to Peraza, who had no such options.
