Deadline trading unfolds in real-time between the Yankees and Rays, with a rain delay serving as a minor inconvenience
Yankees Acquire José Caballero Mid-Game in Unprecedented Trade
In a surprising turn of events, the New York Yankees acquired José Caballero from the Tampa Bay Rays during a game between the two teams on August 1, 2025. This trade was a rare occurrence in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, as in-game trades are typically not announced or executed so immediately.
The game, which took 2 hours and 26 minutes to complete, was delayed for 2 hours and 45 minutes due to rain. Before the trade, Caballero played about two innings for the Rays, making a double play at the end of the fifth inning and popping out to second base to start the sixth.
During the delay, the trade was finalized, and Caballero was informed. He then switched dugouts, visibly hugging and saying goodbye to his Rays teammates before joining the Yankees to finish the game on the opposing side. The Rays received Triple-A outfielder Everson Pereira, along with a player to be named later or cash considerations, in exchange for Caballero.
Caballero, known for his speed, versatile defense covering six positions, and leading stolen base numbers in the American League with 34 steals that season, had a batting average of .226 with 2 home runs and 27 RBIs in 86 games. After the game, he lightheartedly commented on the bizarre occurrence, saying, "I was winning today regardless," referring to the Yankees' 7-4 win over the Rays that day, despite starting the game on the losing side with Tampa Bay.
This mid-game trade event gained considerable media attention and was documented with footage showing Caballero’s transition from the Rays’ dugout to the Yankees’ dugout during the game itself. The Yankees also acquired Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants and David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates during the same frenzied action of the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Rays did not make any trades during the game, despite Danny Jansen being pulled from the lineup before the game. Jansen remained on the Rays' roster before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers later. Jonathan Aranda, a first baseman for the Rays, injured his left wrist during the game.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees' manager, spoke about Caballero before his press conference, while the Rays' manager, Kevin Cash, walked out to discuss a lineup change with the plate umpire after the trade. After the trade, Caballero hugged people in the Yankees' clubhouse and boarded a flight to Miami with the team hours later. Brandon Lowe and other members of the Rays expressed gratitude they did not make trades during the game.
The Yankees also acquired Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies during the same trade deadline period. Caballero joked about the trade after waking up in a Manhattan hotel room as a member of the Yankees, saying, "I couldn't believe it when I woke up and saw the city skyline." This unexpected trade has certainly shaken up the MLB landscape, with more changes likely to come as the season progresses.
In the realm of sports and baseball, the New York Yankees, led by manager Aaron Boone, made a historic trade, acquiring Jose Caballero from the Tampa Bay Rays during a game on August 1, 2025. This move came amidst the MLB's trade deadline, with David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants also joining the Yankees during this frenzied period. The Rays, managed by Kevin Cash, did not make any trades during the game.
