The New York Yankees traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, the organizations announced on Friday.
The move marks a passing of the baton behind the plate for the Yankees.
Trevino, 32, comes at New York via trade with the Texas Rangers before the start of the 2022 season to play catcher. He impressed with his bat in the first half of the season, earning his first and only All-Star selection. He also received the Gold Glove and the American League Platinum Glove for leading all catchers with 21 defensive runs saved. He concluded the season with a.248 batting average, 11 home runs, and an OPS of.671.
Injuries restricted Trevino to 55 games in 2023. He started the 2024 season as the Yankees’ starting catcher before being on the injured list in July with a quadriceps injury.
Austin Wells, a rookie, replaced Trevino and maintained the starting spot for the rest of the season. Trevino batted.215 with eight home runs and a.642 OPS in 73 games. Wells finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, batting.229 with 13 home runs and an OPS of.718 in 115 games.
With the trade of Trevino, who is set to enter free agency after next season, the 25-year-old Wells is expected to report to spring training as the team’s everyday catcher.
Cruz, 32, made his major league debut in 2022. Now 34, the right-hander has a 4.52 ERA in 141 major league appearances. Cruz had a 4.86 ERA last season and 109 strikeouts in 69 games. He is ineligible for arbitration until the 2026 season.
Cruz is the Yankees’ second bullpen addition this offseason. They obtained closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers last week.
Cincinnati assigned Jackson to New York after signing him to a minor league contract last month. The 28-year-old catcher has a.132 lifetime batting average, six home runs, and a.456 OPS in 124 games for the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, and Atlanta Braves across five seasons.
