Yankees’ Jose Caballero Earns “Pest” Label in Best Way
The New York Yankees’ trade deadline pickup of Jose Caballero raised some eyebrows. Fans and even a few players wondered what the front office was thinking when the speedy utility man was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the middle of a game on July 31. But only a few weeks later, it has become clear why he was brought in — and why his teammates are thrilled to have him.
Starting pitcher Will Warren summed it up with just four words: he called Caballero “a pest.” Now, to some players, that might sound like an insult, but in this case, it was the highest kind of praise. Caballero has quickly become the guy who does all the little things to help the Yankees win, while also driving opponents crazy.
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Since joining the team, Caballero has been a spark plug in the lineup. He leads the majors in stolen bases with 39, and in just 10 games with New York, he’s slashed .333/.400/.389. He’s already tied for sixth on the team in steals, despite arriving only a few weeks ago. The Yankees have gone 7–3 in the games he’s played, including a three-game sweep of the Cardinals where he seemed to be at the center of every rally.
Why exactly is he seen as such a “pest”? Caballero himself explained it best. He said that he loves getting under opponents’ skin, and he doesn’t want them to like him. His goal is to distract them, pressure them, and force mistakes — and it’s working. A perfect example came in the ninth inning of Sunday’s win against St. Louis, when he hustled down the line on a weak ground ball and forced an errant throw. That mistake opened the door for a four-run inning that sealed the sweep.
Caballero’s intensity is something Yankees manager Aaron Boone has noticed for years. He admitted he used to dislike Caballero when he played against New York, recalling the time Gerrit Cole wagged his finger at him after a strikeout. But now Boone says he’s becoming one of his favorite players, because that same energy that annoyed the Yankees as opponents is now helping them win.
Inside the clubhouse, the respect is unanimous. Third baseman Ryan McMahon called him “a baseball player, man,” saying that’s the highest compliment you can give. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt admitted he hated facing him, but now loves what he brings to the Yankees. Boone added that Caballero’s defensive versatility, ability to hit situationally, and his electric speed make him an old-school type of player who thrives in the modern game.
So while the move may have puzzled people at first, Jose Caballero is proving his worth in New York. He’s pesky, relentless, and exactly the kind of player every contender needs down the stretch — the one who makes life miserable for the other team and invaluable for his own.
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