In bizarre scenes on Thursday, Tampa Bay Rays star Jose Caballero discovered he had been traded to the New York Yankees, midway through their game against them.
The deal was finalized during the seventh inning of a closely contested MLB game at the Yankee Stadium, with broadcast cameras quickly cutting to Caballero.
Despite the shock timing, the Panamanian appeared in good spirits as he hugged his teammates inside the bullpen and said his goodbyes midway through the game.
He appeared in deep conversation with one particular teammate, who was seemingly just as shocked that the deal was announced during their game against the Yankees.
In exchange for Caballero, the Yankees are sending Everson Pereira and a player to be named later to Tampa.
During the season, Caballero has played 17 games at second, 27 games at third, 31 games at short, and 35 games in the outfield.
Tampa Bay Rays star Jose Caballero discovered he had been traded to the New York Yankees midway through a game between the two MLB sides
Caballero was was seen hugging and talking to his Rays teammates after discovering the news
The 28-year-old is tied for the MLB lead in stolen bases with 34 during the season
Caballero is tied for the MLB lead in stolen bases with 34.
The 28-year-old will be arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, and he is under team control through the end of the 2029 season.
Overall, Caballero played three seasons for the Rays and Mariners. He had a .225 batting average, 204 hits, 15 home runs, 97 RBIs and 127 runs scored.
The bizarre scenes comes just one day after New York Mets pitcher Jose Butto discovered that he had been traded during their game. Butto appeared far more emotional, compared to Caballero, upon discovering the news.
The deal involving Caballero comes shortly after reports claimed that the Yankees had acquired closer David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates – pending a physical.
Daily Mail has since confirmed this agreement with a Pirates spokesperson.
Bednar, 30, has been efficient for the struggling Pirates, posting a 2.37 earned-run average while allowing just 1.11 base runners per inning.
The Butler County, Pennsylvania native is a two-time All-Star who led the National League in saves in 2023 after starting his successful career in San Diego.
Caballero appeared in good spirits as he discovered the trade news on Thursday afternoon
Closer David Bednar (pictured) has been efficient for the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a 2.37 earned-run average while allowing just 1.11 base runners per inning
And Yankees GM Brian Cashman wasn’t done there. He also acquired right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies for second baseman Roc Riggio and southpaw Ben Shields, as first reported by YES analyst Jack Curry.
Bird has struggled in 2025, posting a 4.73 EA with 62 strikeouts in 51.1 innings of work.
Bird and Bednar now join a bullpen that has disappointed in 2025 following the highly publicized acquisition of former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams, who has struggled in his first season in the Bronx.
Aside from Williams and his 5.01 ERA, other struggling Yankees relievers have included Mark Leiter (4.46 ERA) and Jonathan Loaisiga, who is currently battling an undisclosed injury.
