The New York Yankees traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, the teams announced Friday. This strategic move marks the Yankees’ desire to clear payroll space and transition to younger talent behind the plate.
Trevino, who is 32 years old, initially joined the Yankees from the Texas Rangers and made quite the impression after earning his first All-Star selection and winning the Gold Glove award due to his defensive prowess. Trevino led all catchers with 21 defensive runs saved and ended the 2022 season with solid offensive numbers, batting .248 with 11 home runs and a .671 OPS. Yet, injuries plagued his subsequent seasons, limiting him to just 55 games last year. This season, after starting as the Yankees' lead catcher, Trevino found his opportunities reduced when rookie Austin Wells grabbed the starting role, making Trevino's .215 average with 8 home runs and .642 OPS even more concerning.
Now, as Trevino approaches free agency after the upcoming season, the Yankees have opted to bolster their roster with the addition of Cruz, who could play a pivotal role from the bullpen.
The 34-year-old Cruz has faced his share of challenges, yet he has also showcased his potential as a dynamic reliever. After making his major league debut at 32, Cruz has compiled a 4.52 career ERA over 141 games, including last season where he threw 66.2 innings with 109 strikeouts and held the third-highest strikeout rate (37.8%) among MLB pitchers with at least 50 innings. This deal marks Cruz's second consecutive offseason acquisition for the Yankees, following their earlier trade for closer Devin Williams.
Analysts have pointed out Cruz’s standout splitter, regarded as one of the best pitches currently. "Cruz has one of the best pitches in baseball... his splitter generated the fourth-highest whiff rate among all pitches last season," noted sources from CBSSports.com. With opposing batters batting just .116 against this split-finger, the Yankees may encourage Cruz to rely on this weapon even more, potentially honing his effectiveness.
Accompanying Cruz is Alex Jackson, 28, who has had limited success at the big league level, with career stats showing only six home runs and a .132 batting average. The Yankees may now have Jackson positioned as the backup catcher, considering their existing roster needs. Jackson, who previously hit .122 with the Tampa Bay Rays, also brings defensive skills to the table, having nabbed 11 base stealers out of 39 attempts last year.
From the Reds' perspective, this trade coordinates with their pressing need for catching depth, especially after their previous catcher, Luke Maile, entered free agency. With only Tyler Stephenson on their roster, the Reds acquired Trevino to solidify their catching situation. Statcast rated Trevino as exceptional at pitch framing and blocking, extremely valuable for the Reds' young pitching staff.
While Trevino is projected to earn around $3.4 million next season, the Reds are banking on him providing both offensive and defensive support. Meanwhile, Cruz's efficient and less costly presence bolsters the bullpen's efficiency as they navigate through the upcoming season.
Overall, this trade exemplifies how even minor adjustments can have significant ramifications on team performance moving forward. While the immediate narrative may downplay the deal as insignificant, both teams are eyeing longer-term gains, showing how the ebb and flow of team rosters can lead to unexpected opportunities.
"This trade might end up being a winner for the Yankees," underscored sports commentators reflecting on the variable outcomes based on performance and team strategy. With the new additions on board, both teams must now embrace their new trajectories and expectations for the 2025 MLB season.
