Jose Caballero switches teams mid-game in bizarre Yankees-Rays trade scene
Jose Caballero had a short walk to go from his old team to his new one after the Rays dealt the infielder to the Yankees mid-game as the two clubs played one another on Thursday afternoon.
But the walk out of the dugout took a bit of time as the YES Network cameras caught him saying his goodbyes to his old Tampa Bay teammates.Â
The Yankees acquired Caballero in a deal that included the Bronx Bombers sending outfielder Everson Pereira and a player to be named later to Tampa or cash considerations.Â
Caballero had come into the game in the fifth inning, and the Rays were up in the top of the seventh when word came down that he had been dealt to the Yanks.Â
The YES cameras captured the moment inside the Rays dugout as he said goodbye to his teammates, hugging several players, and even appearing to break the news to Taylor Walls when he returned to the dugout after striking out.Â
Walls seemed particularly surprised by the news as Caballero alerted him to what was transpiring.Â
Prior to that, Caballero went down the line saying goodbye and seemed to have a little bit of a longer conversation with Brandon Lowe.Â
Thursday marked the final game of a four-game series between the Yankees and Rays, meaning Caballero will not have to face his former team so quickly.Â
Caballero brings a quickness to the Yankees, as he has stolen 34 bases in 42 attempts this season. He also gives the Yanks some insurance at shortstop.Â
The 28-year-old has played various positions this season, including 31 games at short, 27 games at third base and 17 at second.Â
Caballero has also played 35 games in the outfield this year.Â
Thursday was a busy day for the Yankees as the trade deadline approached, and they overhauled their bullpen in a big way with the acquisition of Camilo Doval from the Giants.