Rays trade Luke Raley and Andrew Kittredge. Here's why: Tampa Bay Times

ST. PETERSBURG — On the same day that their star shortstop faced serious legal challenges in his home country, the Rays took steps Friday to shore up their infield defense. They acquired infielder Jose Caballero from the Mariners for outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley.

To replace Raley, Tampa Bay dealt reliever Andrew Kittredge to St. Louis for outfielder Richie Palacios.

The 27-year-old Caballero gives the Rays solid infield insurance as All-Star shortstop Wander Franco faces an uncertain future and Taylor Walls undergoes hip surgery. While President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander declined to comment on Franco's situation, he said it was unlikely Walls would be ready for Opening Day.

The Rays are comfortable with Caballero as shortstop on Opening Day, Neander said.

“We made this trade confident that he could play shortstop,” Neander said. “His makeup, his work ethic and his skills there. He can play it and play it very well. … He’ll have a chance to make it through the gates.”

Of his 104 games with Seattle last season, Caballero played 21 at shortstop and 64 at second base. A right-handed hitter, he batted .221 with four home runs and 26 RBIs. He hits fairly well against left-handed pitching (.265), but is sought after primarily for his defense and baserunning speed.

Caballero's Fielding Run Value, Statcast's overall metric for measuring defensive performance on a run-based scale, is plus-6, in the top 83rd percentile. His Outs Above Average rating is 8, which is in the top 94%. His speed is in the top 90%.

What's significant to the Ray's salary cap restrictions is that the Diamondbacks' seventh-round pick in 2017 won't be eligible for arbitration until 2026 and won't become a free agent until 2030. He also has minor league options.

Raley, who turns 30 in September, hit a career-high 19 home runs and drove in 49 runs with the Rays last season.

Richie Palacios gives the Rays a left-handed bat to replace the departed Luke Raley. [ AARON GASH | AP ]

Palacios doesn't have the same power, but he's a younger, serviceable lefty. He hit .258 with six doubles, six home runs and 16 RBIs in 32 games for the Cardinals last season. He also still has minor league options.

Kittredge, 33, developed into an All-Star with the Rays in 2021 but has been limited the past two seasons following Tommy John surgery in June 2022. He had a 2-0 record, 3.09 ERA and one save in 11⅔ innings over 14 appearances last season.

With their first full-squad practice less than two months away, the Rays' middle infield was uncertain.

Franco, who is accused of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering in his native Dominican Republic, had been jailed since Monday for ignoring a summons. A judge on Friday ordered his conditional release while the investigation continues.

Stay up to date on the Tampa Bay sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We'll send you daily news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida college football teams.

You are all registered!

Want more of our free weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let's begin.

Discover all your options

Franco, who signed an 11-year deal with the Rays worth $182 million in November 2021, has not played in a game since August 12.

Walls, who took over after Franco was placed on leave, could return at the start of the season, but there is no set date. Juniors Caminero Osleivis Basabe and Curtis Mead, who made their debuts last season, could also get a chance to play.

Overall, the squad is now balanced, said Neander, but both changes leave room for the team to develop further.

“Like Raley and Josh Lowe last year, they’ve made great strides,” Neander said. “This creates room for opportunity for guys like (Jonathan) Aranda, Mead and Caminero. … There is scope in the system to create jobs.”

• • •

Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter for daily coverage of the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Never miss the latest on your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram, X and Facebook.