BRONX, NY — José Caballero is a flash from the past, a throwback type of player who doesn’t chase home runs or exit velocity even though he can still connect for a few timely blasts here and there.
With 14 HRs this season, the areas of his game that get attention are his speed, defense and occasional pitch clock antics at the plate.
José Caballero’s speed is one of the Panama native’s key pieces to his individual game on the diamond with his defense and pitch clock antics at the plate major parts as well – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
His speed allowed Caballero to finish as MLB’s 2025 season leader in stolen bases with 49 while in 2024, he led all of the American League with 44.
And besides his speed playing an impact on the bases, it has in the batter’s box too, as Caballero’s bunted for six hits this season and laid down four successful sacrifice bunts.
He is one of just a few Yankees who can be trusted to lay one down.
José Caballero is one of just a few players on this year’s Yankees team who can drop down a bunt any time – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The Yankees acquired the 30-year-old Panamanian utilityman from the Rays ahead of MLB’s trade deadline last season for outfield prospect Everson Pereira.
So now, with more than a year under his belt in pinstripes, playing one full season for the Rays in 2024, Caballero has a complete feel of the AL East rivalry.
“It’s part of the business, part of what we do, and no hard feelings with anyone,” Caballero said in an interview with Latino Sports this week at Yankee Stadium. “Just trying to show up every day, trying to do my best every day and help my team win.”
José Caballero’s presence on the field and in the clubhouse has paid dividends for the Yankees since New York acquired him last summer ahead of MLB’s trade deadline – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Earlier this year at Tropicana Field, a ballpark he once called home, Caballero put the Yankees on his back against his former team with two home runs and four RBI.
“Really close games, and we were having tough at-bats. They were pitching well that day, and I remember he (Griffin Jax) was leaving a changeup up and I was able to handle it.” Caballero said of his multi-HR game. “Then the game continued to be really close, and then in my last at bat, I think we were only up one. It was a tough game, so I was trying to get a good at bat, and they (Chris Roycroft) left another pitch up that I was able to handle pretty well, and I was really happy that I hit it out of the field.”
In this most recent series against Tampa Bay, Caballero has been getting his feet wet at third base a little bit more, manning the hot corner in game one of Tuesday’s day-night doubleheader in the Bronx.
This could be an option for manager Aaron Boone in October, especially against left-handed pitchers.
“I feel great, I’m confident in any position that I play. I don’t really see any position different,” said Caballero. “Like I said, I always try to just help my team win, and in any position that I could play, and I do my best. I really feel normal in any position.”
Caballero is a jack of all trades getting starts at shortstop (70), second base (22), third base (37) and outfield (21) this season.
José Caballero can play basically any position on the diamond outside of pitcher and catcher and with full confidence at each – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“Every position is different, every position has different angles. Every position has a different way to attack the ball,” he said of his versatility. “I tried to cover all the positions throughout the year. But during the day that I’m gonna play, I only focus on the position that I’m gonna start playing that day. But besides that, whenever I’m now in the line or situations like that, I try to cover the position that I haven’t practiced in a couple days or whatever.”
For the 2026 season, Caballero has 14 home runs, 51 RBI, 34 stolen bases, and a slash line of .235/.292/.370 in 405 at-bats.
José Caballero could be seeing some time at third base for the Yankees this postseason but time can only tell – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
He also got his feet wet in the postseason last season in the Bronx, and talked about how valuable that was:
“It’s a different environment, but the game is the same game. The only thing is that the game kind of has a different meaning. We try to play the best we can and try to win the game, and in playoff situations, all that matters is to win. It doesn’t matter how we win the game, it’s about getting the wins. Learning from last year, I was able to be in a position that I shouldn’t take any opportunity for granted and take advantage of anything that the other team is giving you.”
The Yankees are set to host the Wild Card against the Boston Red Sox, but another Rays rematch is lurking in the ALDS if the Yankees can manage to advance.
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