In the middle of their four-game series finale Thursday afternoon, the Yankees and Rays finalized a deal to send Tampa Bay utility man Jose Caballero to New York.

The Rays will receive outfielder Everson Pereira and a player to be named later from the Yankees.

Caballero was seen greeting teammates with the news of his trade in the visiting dugout in Yankee Stadium as the American League East rivals finished a rain-interrupted matinee. The Yankees went on to win 7-4.

The Yankees had focused on bullpen help throughout Thursday — making separate deals for David Bednar (Pittsburgh), Jake Bird (Colorado) and Camilo Doval (San Francisco) — but Caballero provides speed and defensive help that New York has been lacking.

Caballero, 28, has played 31 games in the outfield, 31 at shortstop, 27 at

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