The Cincinnati Reds have strengthened their roster by acquiring veteran catcher José Trevino from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson.
Trevino, renowned for his exceptional defense, earned both All-Star honors and a Gold Glove in 2022. However, injuries disrupted his 2023 season, and by 2024, he had been replaced by Austin Wells as the Yankees’ primary catcher. During the 2024 campaign, Trevino posted a .215 batting average, hitting eight home runs and driving in 28 runs over 74 games.
In return, the Yankees receive Fernando Cruz, a 34-year-old reliever with an impressive ability to generate strikeouts. Last season, Cruz recorded 109 strikeouts across 66⅔ innings. With four years of team control remaining, he offers flexibility to the Yankees’ bullpen and can be optioned to the minors if needed. Additionally, Alex Jackson, another key piece in the trade, is known for his defensive skills behind the plate but has yet to establish himself offensively in the majors.
This move underscores the Yankees’ strategy to optimize roster depth while addressing financial considerations, including Trevino’s impending arbitration. For the Reds, the addition of Trevino provides an experienced presence at catcher, which could significantly bolster their defensive performance for the upcoming season.
