Defensive versatility is a hallmark of the Rays organization, and they’re expanding the role for utilitymen Jose Caballero and Richie Palacios this spring, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Caballero, who played plus defense at shortstop, second base and third base in 2024, is getting reps across all three outfield spots in camp. He played two innings in left field last season. Palacios already played five positions last year and is also getting reps in center. Topkin calls him the leading candidate to back up presumptive starter Jonny DeLuca.
Caballero, 28, came to the Rays in a Jan. 2024 trade sending Luke Raley to the Mariners. He doesn’t provide much offense, hitting just .225/.308/.338 in 243 MLB games and 763 plate appearances, but he’s been a plus defender around the infield and piled up 70 steals in 89 tries through a season and a half’s worth of games. Caballero logged the lion’s share of playing time at shortstop last year, but with Ha-Seong Kim now in the fold and Taylor Walls healthy, he’ll move into more of a jack-of-all-trades utility role.
The 27-year-old Palacios was acquired from the Cardinals — in exchange for Andrew Kittredge — on the same day the Rays picked up Caballero. He split the bulk of his time between second base and the outfield corners in his first season with Tampa Bay and drew solid or better defensive grades across those positions. Like Caballero, he didn’t hit for much average or power. Also like Caballero, he adds value to his offensive game with another skill, though not his speed; Palacios walked in a massive 14.2% of his plate appearances last season. He chased only 22.3% of pitches off the plate, per Statcast, ranking in the 87th percentile of hitters (min. 300 plate appearances).
That both players are getting looks in center field is of extra note given the lack of an established player at the position. DeLuca is in line to see the bulk of playing time there, but the 26-year-old hit just .217/.278/.331 in 362 plate appearances last year. DeLuca spent more time in right field than in left, and fielded the corner spot quite well (6 Defensive Runs Saved, 5 Outs Above Average). His work in center was graded closer to average (-1 DRS, 2 OAA).
If DeLuca doesn’t provide more offensively and/or prove to be a standout defender in center, it’s feasible that either Caballero or Palacios could get more looks there. Tampa Bay also has outfielders Kameron Misner and Jake Mangum on the 40-man roster, each of whom has experience in center. More broadly, whoever ends up seeing the bulk of the early time in center could prove a placeholder for fleet-footed prospect Chandler Simpson.
Simpson is still relatively new to center field — the 24-year-old was a middle infielder in college ball — but he hit .355/.410/.397 between High-A and Double-A last season and is an 80-grade runner who’ll be one of MLB’s fastest players if and when he debuts. Simpson only hit one home run in 2024 but swiped a staggering 104 bases in only 110 games played — all while fanning in only 8.5% of his plate appearances.
You have to think with his speed and defense Caballero will definitely be in that lineup more often than not.
No biggie, but the wrong Jose Caballero is linked here.
Should link to Guy Caballero.
This 2025 Rays lineup is godawful. Danny Jansen is projected to bat 5th for them?!
And yet they’ll probably still find a way to win like 85 games. They always have like 3 players unexpecedly breakout or something.
The grounds crew will get more work done in center field
RIP, Frank Saucier: 14 career at-bats for the St. Louis Browns in 1951, yet he is best remembered for a non-at-bat. He’s the guy who was pinch-hit for by 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel.
Anything to get Caballero’s .200 avg in the lineup, keep DeLuca’s service time low, and keep Caminero and Carson Williams in AAA. Nice move, $ternberg!! If only the front office wouldn’t follow directions!
44 steals needs to find a way into the lineup. This is a team with questionable power outside of maybe Brandon Lowe so manufacturing runs will be very important for the Rays to be successful
The Rays defense is not good. The front office might not regret trading away their best fielder, but I bet the pitchers will.
If Caballero & Palacios can successfully transition, MLB front offices might rethink center field scouting altogether. Teams could develop athletic infielders with strong lateral range into center fielders, rather than overpaying for true outfielders with limited offensive upside. This could lower the cost of CF production while expanding roster flexibility.
Rays truly playing 4D chess.