The Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners are completing a trade that will trade 29-year old, power hitting fifth outfielder Luke Raley for a desperately needed potential answer at shortstop for 2024 in 28-year old infielder Jose Caballero.
Known for his speed and decision making on the basepaths, Caballero is a plus defender (with high marks from both DRS and OAA) who covered 21 games at shortstop for the Mariners in his rookie season, while getting the lions share of opportunities at second base across his 104 games played.
The acquisition of Caballero should take pressure off the Rays to force Basabe into the majors to start the season, and could even lead to an open competition for shortstop alongside Taylor Walls — depending on his recovery timeline from offseason hip surgery — and prospect Osleivis Basabe, who finished 2023 as the team’s primary 6.