Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Jose Caballero is slashing .264/.292/.407 with five doubles, one triple, two homers, 12 RBI, 12 runs, one walk, nine stolen bases, and 23 strikeouts across 26 games in 2024. The 27-year-old has elite speed, and his nine steals are sixth in the majors. Before getting the day off on Sunday against the White Sox, he started the previous 12 games and hit .217 (10-for-46) with two doubles, one triple, six RBI, five runs, one homer, one walk, and 13 strikeouts. He remains a solid starter for fantasy managers as he continues to find ways to get on base, but the strikeouts compared to his walks may be something to monitor throughout the season. Caballero will look to continue his solid production on Monday in a tough matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Caballero belted his first home run of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels, launching a leadoff blast to deep left center in the second inning. Caballero is on a heater to begin the 2024 season following a poor spring training, now hitting .351 (13-for-37) with an .889 OPS, three doubles, six RBI, and five stolen bases to go with the aforementioned round-tripper across 11 outings. With Brandon Lowe (oblique) hurting, Caballero will likely be needed for everyday at-bats in Tampa Bay's lineup for the time being. The 27-year-old speedy infielder's value to the Rays is more pronounced defensively, but his fantasy stock is certainly on the rise right now. Consider adding him in AL-only or deep mixed leagues for speed, but don't expect a consistent dose of power.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that hitting coach Chad Mottola has informed infielder Jose Caballero that he has the freedom to pull the ball in the air, advice that has paid dividends in recent years for Rays hitters like Yandy Diaz and Isaac Paredes. "He's letting it loose," Cash said. "He seems to be taking to that." With Yandy Diaz's off-the-field issues, Caballero is expected to open the 2024 regular season as Tampa's regular shortstop. The 27-year-old infielder could benefit from hitting the ball more in the air, as he had just four home runs in 107 games for the Mariners in 2023 and isn't exactly known for his power. Still, fantasy managers shouldn't bank on a drastic increase in power for Caballero and should target him mostly as a middle-infield option in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues for his speed.

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said that infielder Jose Caballero is still expected to be the team's Opening Day shortstop despite the addition of Amed Rosario on a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Tuesday. Rosario is going to bounce around between the middle infield and corner outfield against left-handed pitching. The 27-year-old Caballero was acquired from the Mariners in an offseason trade to give the Rays a backup plan in the wake of Wander Franco's off-the-field issues. Taylor Walls (hip) is going to miss the first month of the season, but he'll give Tampa another option at the 6 when he returns. Caballero didn't display much power in his first taste of big-league action in 2023 and is probably only going to be attractive in AL-only leagues for his speed -- he stole 26 bases in 104 games for Seattle in 2023.