Forgotten former Mariner ended up being a sleeper agent for playoff clincher

Baseball has a funny way of keeping its storylines intertwined. The Seattle Mariners’ postseason clinch was dramatic enough on its own, but fate decided to add an unlikely twist from 3,000 miles away. A former Mariner, one who never fully cemented himself in Seattle but still left a mark on fans, played a pivotal role in helping his old club lock down October baseball. It was José Caballero, of all people, coming through for the Mariners while wearing Yankees pinstripes.

For Mariners fans, the name probably brings some recognition. Caballero was always more of a sparkplug than star, the kind of player who made his presence felt by working deep into counts, stealing bags, and flashing his glove. Now, after a journey through multiple organizations, he has popped back into Seattle’s orbit — not by putting on the Mariners jersey again, but by knocking in a walk-off run for the New York Yankees against the White Sox, a result that directly aided the Mariners’ playoff push. 

Forgotten Mariner José Caballero turns into unlikely playoff helper from afar

Caballero’s journey makes this moment all the more fitting. Now 29, he was originally traded to Seattle from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system in 2019 in exchange for pitcher Mike Leake. Over the next four years, he ascended through the Mariners farm system, finally breaking through in 2023 to fill a hole at second base. He didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he drove pitchers mad with his relentless at-bats, rule-savvy approach, and knack for creating chaos on the bases. 

Seattle ultimately flipped Caballero to the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2024 season in a deal for OF/1B Luke Raley. It was a fair swap at the time, one that made sense for both sides, but Caballero kept moving. At the 2025 trade deadline, he was shipped again — this time to the Yankees in exchange for former top prospect outfielder Everson Pereira.

Few expected much more than a depth role for Caballero in the Bronx, but instead he caught fire, slashing .284/.379/.486 with three homers, nine RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. For a player carrying a career .229 batting average into the move, the hot streak felt like lightning in a bottle, and New York rode it down the stretch.

In the end, it won’t go down as one of the great trades or great regrets in Mariners history. Seattle doesn’t need Caballero anymore, and his Yankees surge may well cool off in time. But moments like this remind fans that baseball’s connections run deep.