Newcomer Caballero ready to grab role of Opening Day shortstop

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- José Caballero wasn’t expecting this opportunity. He wasn’t expecting to be traded. And he certainly wasn’t expecting the call.

Caballero’s wife was in the hospital for a minor issue on Jan. 5, and he had gone outside to take a quick nap in his car. He woke up to find his phone lit up with 12 missed calls, leading him to wonder, “What is going on?” The next call came from his agent, who informed him that Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto was trying to get a hold of him.

Then, finally, came the news: Caballero had been traded to the Rays for Luke Raley.

“It caught me off guard. I didn’t expect it. I just got surprised,” Caballero said. “I was happy, to be honest, with the trade and happy to join a new team.”

He’ll have a prominent role with his new club, too, one that wouldn’t have been possible behind J.P. Crawford in Seattle. The Rays expect Caballero to be their Opening Day shortstop, filling a need created by Wander Franco’s uncertain future and Taylor Walls’ recovery from offseason surgery on his right hip.

“We're going to lean on Caballero,” manager Kevin Cash said earlier this week. “We're excited. He's excited to be here, for the opportunity.”

Knowing that made the surprise of the trade a more pleasant one for the 27-year-old Caballero, who has already spent a few days in Rays camp since reporting early Tuesday morning.

“The way that he’s carried himself in the clubhouse, watching him walk from the batting cage, he goes to say hello to every staff member, hello to every player that’s in there,” Cash said. “For a new guy, that’s pretty impressive.”

The Rays believe Caballero can help them in the field, too, even if he doesn’t have a long track record of Major League experience or success. The Panamanian infielder hit .221/.343/.320 with four home runs in 104 games during his debut season for the Mariners, although he accumulated 2.4 Wins Above Replacement thanks to his contributions on the basepaths (including 26 stolen bases) and on defense.

Caballero only played 21 games at shortstop, with only 13 starts in the position. He spent most of his time at second base (64 games, 53 starts) with some reps at third (nine games, four starts). But he was clearly a capable defender, totaling seven Defensive Runs Saved and eight Outs Above Average, according to Statcast.

The Rays saw enough to believe he’ll play up to their standards as their regular shortstop to start the season.

“Cabby's someone who doesn't have a lot of Major League experience at the position, because of J.P. Crawford holding it down in Seattle,” said president of baseball operations Erik Neander. “But through a lot of work, evaluation, [we] believe he can do it and do it well.”

Cash said Caballero’s offensive profile complements the Rays’ returning hitters well. He struck out in 66 of his 280 plate appearances last year, but he carried a 15.6% strikeout percentage through his Minor League career. He also found ways to get on base from the bottom of the lineup, including 17 hit-by-pitches.

Caballero thinks he’s capable of more, based on what he learned as a rookie. He got off to a nice start, batting .279 with an .829 OPS in his first 26 appearances. He posted a .200 average and .603 OPS the rest of the way. The Rays expect the security of an everyday job will help Caballero, but he admitted he could have done more to punch back last year.

“At some point, the league adjusted to me, and I didn’t have the time to adjust to the league. It just showed me that it’s a consistent adjustment between me and the league,” he said. “I just have to adjust every time that they figure it out. That’s what I got from last year, for sure.”

The Rays will have options behind Caballero. Walls should return early in the season. Osleivis Basabe held his own at shortstop down the stretch last season. Top prospects Curtis Mead and Junior Caminero are probably better suited at second and third, respectively, but Mead will work some at shortstop this spring and Caminero has played there in the Minors.

Caballero is going to get the first shot, though, and the Rays are hoping he’ll make the most of it.

“I’m just happy to be here and take advantage of every opportunity that I get and give my 100% in every game,” Caballero said. “From there, just keep rolling and help the team win. That’s the main thing.”