José Treviño has officially swapped uniforms, as the New York Yankees traded him to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. This move is generating buzz throughout Major League Baseball, as it not only highlights the strategic objectives of both teams but also marks the next chapter for the 32-year-old catcher.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Treviño's arrival at Cincinnati provides the Reds with the experience they need behind the plate. After serving primarily as the backup to Austin Wells throughout the 2024 season, Treviño finds himself stepping behind another promising young catcher, Tyler Stephenson, as he adjusts to his new role.
The trade brought the Yankees right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, addressing their immediate need for skilled bullpen support. Cruz has been noted as a strikeout artist, boasting 109 strikeouts over 66.2 innings pitched last season, which translates to the highest rate among pitchers who threw 50 or more innings. The Yankees hope his performance will stabilize their historically inconsistent bullpen.
"Cruz is a strikeout machine whose ERA far exceeds his FIP, so the Yankees hope he can be a high-impact arm," noted MLB reporter Jon Heyman, highlighting the potential Cruz brings to the Bronx Bombers' pitching staff.
For the Reds, Treviño is seen as more than just another face on the roster. He brings a reputation for excellent defensive skills, having earned recognition as the league's top defender back when he won the American League Gold Glove Award and made the All-Star team with the Yankees. His ability to frame pitches and manage younger pitchers fits perfectly with Cincinnati’s developmental plans.
If you look at Treviño's stats, he's had his ups and downs—he was acclaimed for his framing ability but had struggles offensively last season, with subpar numbers reflected by his .215 batting average and .611 OPS. Nonetheless, his numbers don't define his immense value as a second-string catcher, particularly for teams nurturing future stars.
Last season, Treviño appeared in 73 games, hitting eight home runs and recording 28 RBIs. These statistics may seem limiting, but behind them lies the fact he continues to cultivate experience, particularly after the Yankees acquired Wells, pushing Treviño to the backup position. The Yankees were investing long-term when drafting Wells, who seems to be the future of their catcher role.
Cincinnati needed to fill the void left by the losses of significant players from their catching corps, having experienced departures through free agency. The Reds signed Alex Jackson to provide depth, but he never proved to be the solution they had anticipated. Now, Treviño will be taking over as the primary backup to Stephenson, leaving Jackson’s future role uncertain after he was sent to New York.
Both teams saw this trade as pivotal. For the Yankees, it’s about balancing their roster with solid contributors like Cruz. Despite being 34, he still has plenty of potential to grow, particularly under the coaching of Matt Blake, who has been successfully helping young pitchers develop their skills.
Overall, Cruz has had mixed results, but the Yankees need to move forward from last year’s challenges, where their bullpen was often criticized for its inability to produce strikeouts, underscoring the importance of enhancing their pitching lineup.
From the Reds' perspective, they see Treviño not just merely filling space but actively contributing through his veteran mindset, especially to guide their young pitching staff. With years of experience cherished by his teammates, Treviño has developed strong partnerships, which the Reds can depend on.
This trade marks the start of fresh opportunities for both players as well as both teams, creating engaging narratives for fans and analysts alike. How Treviño will adjust to this significant change and whether Cruz fulfills his expected role as the dominating force for the Yankees will certainly claim the spotlight as the upcoming season approaches.
