Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander spoke with reporters yesterday at the opening of the team’s Spring Training camp. He addressed a pair of positions of relative uncertainty as the season approaches: shortstop and catcher.
At the former, Neander suggested the team anticipates José Caballero opening the year as the starter (link via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). Tampa Bay acquired the 27-year-old from the Mariners over the winter, sending outfielder Luke Raley to Seattle. Caballero had appeared in 104 games as a rookie, running a fairly modest .221/.343/.320 batting line with four homers over 280 plate appearances.
While Caballero doesn’t provide much power, he drew walks at a strong 10% clip. That allowed him to reach base fairly frequently and wreak havoc on the basepaths. Caballero stole 26 bags in 29 attempts and rated as an excellent baserunner overall. He also drew strong grades for his defense at both middle infield positions. Caballero spent more time at second base in Seattle in deference to J.P. Crawford but seems a good enough athlete to handle shortstop.
It’s a similar profile to Taylor Walls, another highly-regarded defender with minimal offensive upside. Walls, a switch-hitter, is coming off a .201/.305/.333 line with eight homers in 349 plate appearances. He was successful on 22 of 23 stolen base attempts. Walls could push Caballero for the job once he’s healthy, although he’ll begin the season on the injured list after undergoing surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right hip last October. Walls is a little behind schedule but isn’t expected to be sidelined too deep into the season.
(Neander said the team didn’t have any update on Wander Franco, who was reinstated to the roster in a procedural move at the beginning of the offseason. MLB is still awaiting the results of the legal process in the Dominican Republic after Franco was accused of sexual abuse of a minor.)
Beyond Caballero and Walls, Tampa Bay has a pair of well-regarded young infielders who could push for shortstop reps during the season. Junior Caminero is widely viewed among the top five to 10 prospects in the sport. Osleivis Basabe has never been that highly touted but is generally seen as one of the better talents in the Rays’ system.
Caminero made the jump directly from Double-A to the majors at the tail end of last season. He had a monster .324/.384/.591 showing as a 19-year-old between High-A and Double-A a year ago but has yet to play a Triple-A game. Basabe appeared in his first 31 MLB contests last season. He struggled to a .218/.277/.310 showing. The 23-year-old had a stronger year at Triple-A Durham, hitting 296/.351/.426 through 94 contests.
The Rays have 12 listed infielders on their 40-man roster, although the majority of the group is better suited for positions other than shortstop. By contrast, they’re the only team carrying one catcher. René Pinto is the only backstop currently on the major league club. While they’ll obviously add someone else by Opening Day, Topkin writes in a separate piece that the Rays are happy with Pinto as their primary catcher.
Pinto, 27, had an intriguing 39-game stint last season. He connected on six homers in only 105 plate appearances. His 34:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio isn’t encouraging, but there’s a limited bar to clear offensively at catcher. The Rays, like many teams, tend to emphasize defense at the position. Pinto’s blocking metrics were subpar in limited MLB action, but he drew solid grades as a pitch framer and showcased plus arm strength.
Alex Jackson and Rob Brantly are in camp as non-roster invitees and have MLB experience. Logan Driscoll and Nick Meyer also received invites to Spring Training but have topped out at Triple-A. One of Jackson or Brantly would likely secure the backup job out of camp. Neander indicated the team would keep an eye on the market for depth additions but suggested they’re content with Pinto as the starter.
An intriguing development that will assuredly work out because it’s the Rays.
When was the last time that team genuinely hit a clunker? It’s the sorcery that IS Tampa Bay.
Probably the Nelson Cruz/Joe Ryan trade?
I think they knew what they were giving up, but they thought Cruz was the one missing piece and was the best hitter on the market at that time. So you gotta give some to get some especially mid season trades. I’m sure they’d love to have Ryan back but they were going for it, they knew what they had to give up.
Trading away world champion Nathaniel Lowe who has developed into an elite defensive 1B, as well as providing thump and clutch hits for the Rangers.
Sometimes prospects just get blocked and the way the rays use their 26 man roster is unlike any other team. If you had a kid not performing and taking up a spot you might as well try and get some value back for him. This is the struggle with being competitive every single year, if prospects don’t work out rather quickly you gotta move on and get someone else in to take the at bats. A re- building club like Texas was able to capitalize because the had the at bats to give
Absolutely agree. Just looking at the trade in a vacuum … who made out better.
The N.Lowe trade was a bad trade because the Rays chose Choi over N.Lowe and received a bucket of balls in return from Texas. Rays messed up, plain and simple.
I don’t think the Wander Franco extension’s working out too well for them
The entire Snell trade was one big bust, but particularly L.Patino
Caballero will probably become Luis Arraez-lite and consistently put up 3-4 WAR.
He doesn’t have the hit tool for that
true but he’s on the RAYS
There’s nothing surprising about this. It was obvious they needed a stop-gap for Walls.
If he can hit RHPs, and that’s a big ‘if’, and handle the position regularly, of course they’ll keep in the lineup.
But it’s more likely he ends up in a platoon at 2B and fills in around the infield as needed.
Worth noting, last year was Cabby’s first year of professional ball in which he stayed relatively healthy. Hopefully he can stay healthy and take another step forward.
The Rays didn’t trade for Caballero to be a platoon at 2B and fill in around the infield. B.Lowe is an everyday starter at 2B. He isn’t coming off the field in a platoon manner. The Rays also have top prospects J.Caminero, C.Mead and O.Basabe to work into the infield. The don’t need Caballero anywhere but SS, which is where he will start this year (but eventually give way to Rays #2 prospect C.Williams in 2025).
I didn’t say that’s why they acquired him. I said they needed a stopgap for Walls, which is true. If Walls was healthy, that trade probably wouldn’t have happened. It’s also telling of what they think of the readiness of guys like Basabe and Caminero (who is more likely to play 3B, anyway).
That said, Lowe had 63 PAs against LHPs last season. Giving him a break against lefties is arguably in his & the team’s best interests. There’s no denying that health has been an issue.
Cabby hasn’t proven he can hit RHPs. He hasn’t proven he can handle SS regularly. He was used primarily at 2B with Seattle and was platooned once they acquired Rojas.
You shouldn’t assume SS is his. He’s likely behind Walls, who has proven he can handle SS. Cabby will have to earn it.
Worth noting, from August 22nd through the end of the season, Cabby had just 33 PAs, struck out more in more than a third of those and had a wRC+ of -6..
He’s a solid defender at 2B. That was certainly part of the attraction.
I wasn’t clear. Sorry for that. The Rays traded for Caballero to play SS in 2024 because Wander won’t be playing and because Walls sucks. They needed to get better at the position from what Walls can provide. Aside from a hot month to start 2023, Walls hit mid-60 wRC+ against both LHP and RHP last year and for all of 2022. That’s who he is – a 40% below league average bat. He’s good in the field, but he’s not so good in the field that he can make up for being a near automatic out at the plate,
Lowe missed a 1/3 of the year with injuries. He should be fine in 2024. However, if that isn’t the case, I suspect the Rays will prefer Mead at 2B than Caballero. And that’s the choice. Do the Rays want Caballero on the active roster or Mead or (come July) Caminero? They can’t have them all up, unless they trade other infielders or suffer a ton of injuries. That’s the choice, because if Caballero isn’t playing SS then he’s most likely losing out to guys who are better suited for 2B and 3B.
Ultimately, the Rays believe he can handle SS. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have overpaid to get him, trading Raley straight up for him. I’m sure they also like his defense at other positions and feel he can be a good utility player for them in the future (and a better overall player than Walls). But if we’re just talking 2024, then we’re talking about Caballero the SS.
mp
“That’s who he is – a 40% below league average bat. ”
What a hot…er… dumb…taek
FanGraphs projects Walls for an 85 wRC+.
Yes. I trust FG more than I trust some MLBTR rando who spouts off drivel like this with no supporting evidence
Not sure why you’re attacking me. You can check Fangraphs for yourself. From May 1st through the end of last year, Taylor Walls hit 62 wRC+. For all of 2022 he hit 66 wRC+. Fangraphs can project whatever they want, but for pretty much all of the past 2 years Walls has been a black hole at the plate. Take away those 4 HRs he hit the first month of last year (he hit 8 for the entire year), and he’s been a black hole for the entire 2 year stretch. Why will 2024 be different (and for the record, an 85 wRC+ isn’t exactly great, even for a good defender)?
mp
I’m not attaching you. What happened in your life that you’re so fragile that you feel attacked when your ideas are scrutinized.
Maybe seek therapy.
As for your argument. Again, I trust FanGraphs over some MLBTR rando who doesn’t support their argument.
Well, you said my comment was a “dumb…taek” and “drivel”. That seemed like a personal attack to me, but don’t worry, I’ll find a way to continue on after such a brutal take down. That’s sarcasm by the way.
Why do you keep saying I’m not supporting my argument? My entire argument is that Walls has basically hit in the mid 60 wRC+ range for 2 straight years and that such putridity cannot be accepted by the starting SS. So with that in mind, the Rays went out and got a player they think will do better. You are free to disagree.
mp
Yes. Your COMMENT.
If it’s sarcasm that you won’t be able to continue after having your idea scrutinized, then, yes, you need psychological help.
Let’s get straight what point of yours in scrutinizing. You’ve seemed to have misunderstood
This is the point that I’m scrutinizing
“That’s who he is – a 40% below league average bat. ”
That’s why, you know, I quoted it above.
Defend that point. That he IS a 40% below average hitter. Not that he WAS. Or HAS BEEN, but that be IS and will continue to be.
I watch probably 150 Rays games a year…Walls is awful at the plate. Yes, he has had a few hot weeks at times, but overall…well below average as a hitter.
I find it funny someone would focus what someone “projects”…over experience. Fangraphs can project all they want, it means absolutely nothing. Maybe it ends up being correct or close, but jeez, to hold your breath based upon projections???
SR
Oh. Some rando, whose comment, at best, shows no insight into baseball, who “watches the games” thinks they know more than the projections
I’ll trust FG thank you very much
And won’t hold my breath until someone shows they can constantly beat it
Sorry Filihok. My crystal ball is on the fritz. I can’t guarantee you anything. I am assuming that his past performance is indicative of his future performance. All I got.
mp
“I am assuming that his past performance is indicative of his future performance. All I got.”
You know what else is his past performance? The plate appearances that you want to throw away and pretend didn’t happen
You know what else is his pasr performance? His minor league track record that you’re completely ignoring.
That you think we predict the future by looking at rocks and ignoring data is why I trust FG projections over you
Filihok – I didn’t post my original comments to Stevil with the goal of getting into a pointless discussion with a troll about whether I was capable of projecting Taylor Walls’ future performance. I’m not a scout, I don’t work for the Rays, and I have no idea how Walls is recovering from offseason hip surgery. What I do know is that he has been really bad at the plate over the past 2 years, that the Rays went out and traded for Caballero to specifically play him at SS, that the Rays are drowning in infielders who can’t play SS, and that the Rays #2 prospect (C.Williams) is expected to graduate next year. Caballero and Walls may platoon at SS but if Caballero hits at all, he’s going to be the starting SS for the Rays in 2024. Walls is replacement level or worse, even with the defense. It’s not a high bar to exceed.
mp
That’s my whole point
Don’t speak with certainty about things you can’t be certain of
“he has been really bad at the plate over the past 2 years,”
This is what you know
“That’s who he is – a 40% below league average bat. ”
This is you talking above your pay grade
It’d be good if you knew the difference
You’re missing the entire point of a statement like that. in a sad attempt to make yourself seem smart by tearing others down. Shame on me for indulging you. Anyway, the point is this – Taylor Walls has hit MUCH worse than the average major leaguer over the past two years, there has been no injury related excuse to explain his poor performance, and the Rays have not given any indication that we should expect anything but the same from him in the future. The Rays aren’t stupid. They see what we see, which is why Caballero is now a Ray.
I think the difference here is that I don’t believe Caballero is the preferred choice defensively, I see him just as a stopgap. He only had 132 innings at SS last season and really struggled vs. RHPs the last couple of months.
I have a hard time seeing Mead at 2B. I thought we’d see Ramirez traded, opening up DH for him most nights, but having various options is exactly what Tampa seems to want.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see lots of Cabby at SS early, then Walls, then Caminero. in the second half.
Injuries have a way of making decisions for teams. That might be the case with Tampa’s infield.
That trade was real interesting one. Both players have positional flexibility, but at different positions. One is a left-handed power-hitter with speed, the other is a RHH with speed and no power. Both have injury histories.
I didn’t think Raley would be available, but the trade does make sense for both teams. Hopefully both will help their new respective teams, regardless of how they’re used.
Reynaldo
Probably because they just rely on MLBTR commenters’ eye-tests and not any dumb nerd stats or spreadsheets
/S
Joey Bart is available…
That might actually not be half bad. At his best he’d probably be better than pinto, at his worse he’d still probably be better than Alex Jackson or rob Brantley. He shouldn’t cost too much in the way of prospect capital either.
No options. No Rays
Joey Bart will be available when he’s released. He has no trade value. He’s out of options.
Gotta start Caballero every time you face Gerrit Cole
I may catch a lot of flak for this comment, but I think Wander will be back. Maybe not at the exact start of the season, but some point thereafter.
Let me explain. Let me also caveat this is purely my speculation. Let me also explain that I am not defending him nor condoning any of the things he’s been accused of.
I think the Rays know more than they are telling us. The reasons why are many.
They only really have Caballero that can play SS, and he’s very “meh”. He will struggle to be replacement level.
Basabe is not really a SS defensively from what I understand. The Rays value infield defense, I believe. (I’m an Orioles fan so could be wrong)
They are also not touting or discussing Caminero making the OD roster. With his ridiculous offensive upside, you’d think he’d be a roster lock. Maybe they are doing the service time thing with him. Not sure.
Anyhow, again to me, it seems like something else is at play here and – whether you agree with the decision or not – I have a heavy hunch he’ll be playing for the Rays again before too long.
The fact that the Rays have a “very meh” SS is no way indicative that Franco will be back this season, or ever again. The Rays were never going to seek out a big name player to fill the spot regardless of Franco’s future and would just give the job to Walls if he were healthy.
Franco is radioactive and will still likely face some kind of punishment from the league if he somehow wriggled his way out of this and with the few details we do know it looks pretty bad for him right now
The article states Wander has been reinstated, but that’s not completely accurate. He’s still off the 40 man roster and this won’t be resolved any time soon.
Actually Franco was reinstated to the 40 man roster in a procedural move back in November (start of the offseason). He will be removed from the 40 man before OD because he is either put back on Administrative Leave or because he fails to report to the Rays. It is incredibly unlikely that he plays for the Rays this year (and personally, I doubt he ever plays baseball for any MLB team again).
I find it hard to believe that wander is coming back anytime soon but who knows. I think Carson Williams is their future SS but he’s only 20 so it might be a season or two before he’s ready
You’re a bit more confident than I am that he’ll be back soon, if ever. He just fired another lawyer who was a former D.R. judge and was dismissed from his position for bribery from criminals. The authorities have until July to formally charge him so expect their investigations to continue.
Yankees – I understand the lawyer situation. If true, that certainly brings more questions.
The problem with all of this is, none of us really truly know what’s happening (or not) down there. Information and reports that originate from that country are so unreliable. It’s so rife with corruption.
July will be here before we know it and part of my hunch is that time will run its course, he won’t be charged and will be set free. Would MLB serve any punishment orders to him? Who knows…
Trevor Bauer has been waiting years. Julio Urias won’t play in 2024. So no, Franco will not be back anytime “soon” or perhaps ever.
Shawn:
With Bauer, we like to do this whole guilty before proven innocent here in the US. No doubt Bauer suffered from that – even if you disagree with his bedroom kinks.
Urias was guilty. So, that’s a different story altogether.
You’re so sure Wander isn’t going to play perhaps ever again…yet he still has not been formally charged with any sort of crime.
End of day, there is a lot going on in the DR that none of us could even begin to claim to know.
skins
“we like to do this whole guilty before proven innocent here in the US. ”
No, we don’t.
Especially not for rich white guys.
What LEGAL consequences did the supposedly “guilty before being proven innocent” Bauer face?
Most SA cases are settled with $$$ in DR by court hearings. But that doesn’t mean the US will approve Visas for him to return, or will the MLB allow him to return after violating league policy.
Stus: But that’s just it. He’s not yet been charged with anything. Zero. Zip. Nada.
I think time will run its course and he won’t end up being charged.
Everyone seems to be assuming he’s going to be charged. We all know what happens when people assume.
skins
“We all know what happens when people assume.”
Yes. People who haven’t really thought about it will refer to “making a [donkey] out of “u” and “me””.
Other people will realize that assumptions are a vital part of human existence and we couldn’t live without making them
I wouldn’t say there has been Zero. Zip. Nada. The DA filed some huge filing with the court that included a lot of the evidence her office has gathered, including text messages and emails from Franco acknowledging the relationship, evidence of money being paid to the victim’s mother, etc. So even if Franco is never charged with a crime, it’s going to be hard for him to convince most baseball fans that he didn’t do what’s been alleged or that he deserves redemption and to be a major league baseball player again. I’m a Rays fan and I can’t see myself cheering him on (or the Rays if he returns to the team) with what I know. There’s going to have to be some major development in the case that explains everything we now know about this case. And before you throw Bauer’s video at me, that one piece of “evidence” doesn’t excuse all of his atrocious behavior over the years, it doesn’t do anything in regards to the other sexual assault allegations he has faced, and it wasn’t subject to things like rebuttal evidence that would occur in a trial. It makes me question the truthfulness of his accuser but it does not make me think he is innocent.
Even if he isn’t charged, he’s never coming back to the states man…
I appreciate your optimism, but I don’t think they even allow him back into the country (based upon previous comments from those legal experts). What he (allegedly, insert eyeroll) did was unacceptable and unconscionable. But do we end the man’s life for that mistake? Just a question, before people go apoplectic thinking I am somehow defending what he did. The truth is some people are given a second chance, some are not; rapists often get a second chance, many murderers get a second chance…
True, but getting a second chance to work in a warehouse or as an auto mechanic is not the same thing as getting a second chance to be a multimillion dollar superstar professional athlete
Guy Caballero a nice foundation. I’d put him in charge of programming any day
I think he would just play Space Invaders all day.
I’d trade for Steve Caballero, but pretty sure his knees are shot now
Meyer is a good dude, hope he gets a shot
Caballero will be plenty valuable for the Rays, even if his hitting doesn’t improve. He is brilliant defensively, as anyone who saw his deflection play will know.
I wonder if Jose Cabellero turns out to be like Isaac Parades? Also Rob Brantley has had a nice long career being a depth catcher jetting between AAA and MLB
Duh.
They still only have one catcher, and Caballero was brought in solely to play SS, at least until Walls gets back. Neither is a good look. I hope I am wrong.