THE Yankees will have a new backup catcher for the 2025 season, as the team announced Friday that it had traded a veteran. Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and receiver Alex Jackson.
Trevino, who joined the Yankees in a deal with the Texas Rangers in April 2022, has played in 243 total games as a primary backup, slashing .230/.279/.361 with 23 home runs, 21 doubles and 86 RBIs. New York valued his work behind the plate, however, as his framing and fielding helped him win a 2022 Gold Glove and an All-Star appearance.
The 32-year-old hasn’t gotten much playing time in 2024, as a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year. Austin Wells proved to be more reliable with the bat and also displayed strong catching skills. Although Trevino’s framing and blocking abilities have remained strong, his arm strength has become a legitimate concern. He allowed opponents to steal 57 bases in 70 attempts in 544.1 innings, and his time of 2.07 seconds was the second-worst mark in the league, according to Statcast.
Trevino was limited to just 73 games last season, and after a summer stint on the injured list, he played in just 14 games between mid-August and the end of the regular season. He also only started two playoff games.
Cruz, who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2007, has little big league experience. The 34-year-old veteran made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2022 and posted a 4.52 ERA and 1.269 WHIP over 147.1 total innings with 228 strikeouts.
He went 3-8 with a 4.86 ERA in 69 appearances (three starts) with the Reds in 2024. Among pitchers who threw at least 50 innings in 2024, his 14.72 K/9 was the most highest in the majors and his strikeout rate of 37.8%. ranked third.
As for Jackson, he has played for four teams since his debut in 2019, and he hit a measly .122 in 58 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Cincinnati signed the 28-year-old to a minor league contract in November.
