NEW YORK — In one of the most memorable midgame trades of this year’s MLB deadline, Jackson Township’s own Matt Thaiss found himself at the center of a surprising lineup shift as the Tampa Bay Rays sent infielder José Caballero to the New York Yankees — right in the middle of Tuesday’s 7-4 Yankees win in the Bronx.
Caballero, who was set to take swings in the cage just feet from the visitors’ dugout, was informed of the trade by Rays manager Kevin Cash following a 2-hour, 45-minute rain delay. In an unusual scene, the infielder packed up, exchanged hugs, and walked across the field to join his new team in the very stadium where the Rays had been playing.
Replacing him? Jackson Memorial graduate Matt Thaiss, who began his season with the Chicago White Sox before landing with the Rays. Thaiss stepped into the lineup and immediately made his mark — going 1-for-1 with a base hit against the Yankees.
The swap sent Caballero to New York in exchange for outfielder Everson Pereira and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
“Everything happened so quickly,” Caballero said after the game. “You have to pick up and move over, switch teams. And now you’ve got to give your best.”
Rays players appeared surprised both by the timing and the destination of the deal, with infielder Taylor Walls and Brandon Lowe among those caught off guard.
The Rays have long valued Caballero’s ability to impact games on both sides of the ball. “Cabby does a lot to help you win baseball games,” Cash said. “Whether it’s defensively or on the bases, coming up with the big hit here and there.”
For Thaiss, the moment marked a sudden spotlight at Yankee Stadium — and a hit to back it up.