Following some 40-man additions in late November, the Yankees had six potential catchers on the active roster: 2024 starter Austin Wells, backup Jose Trevino, third-stringer Carlos Narvaez, backstop-turned-first baseman Ben Rice, Triple-A catcher J.C. Escarra, and newly-added 22-year-old Jesus Rodriguez. Even with potential positional flexibility in Rice and Rodriguez, it was a lock that the Yanks would be dealing from the depth in advance of spring training, and last week, Narvaez was sent to Boston for international bonus pool money.
That wasn’t the only move that the Yankees had in store, though. They’ve made another trade, and this will have a more meaningful impact on the 2024 roster than the Narvaez deal. On Friday night, Jon Heyman broke the news that Trevino was being sent to the Cincinnati Reds. YES Network’s Jack Curry quickly followed with the return coming back to the Bronx: righty reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson.
The Yankees have confirmed the trade.
The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired RHP Fernando Cruz and C Alex Jackson from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for C Jose Trevino.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) December 21, 2024
Acquired in a minor deal just before Opening Day 2022, Trevino turned into one of the surprises of the season. Out of seemingly nowhere, he became an All-Star, even winning a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove by season’s end for his outstanding work behind the plate for the Yanks in the first season following Gary Sánchez’s departure. Trevino was so much more than that though, as in addition to his defensive prowess, he hit .244/.303/.411 with eight homers and a 102 wRC+ in the first half — far more than what was expected as he took the lion’s share of the starts from the man he was supposed to split starts with, Kyle Higashioka.
Trevino slowed down in the second half and battled wrist injuries in 2023 that eventually doomed his season. He came back in 2024 but eventually ceded the starter’s role to Wells, who came on strong in the summer with a third-place AL Rookie of the Year campaign. Projected for about $3.4 million in arbitration in 2025, his final year before free agency, Trevino was considered at least a possible trade candidate with owner Hal Steinbrenner ever-conscious of luxury tax thresholds, and indeed, he has been dealt. We wish him the best and will always remember the All-Star battery at Dodger Stadium with fellow 2022 standout and since-departed Yankee Nestor Cortes.
The 28-year-old Jackson fits in the mold of Trevino as a defensive specialist, though he barely hit a lick in 58 games with the Rays last year. He was, however, on a minor-league deal with the Reds so he does not currently hold a 40-man spot. Cruz will turn 35 in March, but he at least makes for an intriguing bullpen piece, as Curry noted his standout splitter.
Fernando Cruz was 3-8 with a 4.86 ERA in 69 games for the Reds. He had 109 strikeouts and 36 walks in 66 2/3 IPs. He threw a splitter more than 40 pct and batters hit .116 vs it. Also throws a 4-seam fastball and a cutter. Alex Jackson hit .122 with 3 HRs in 58 games with Rays.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) December 21, 2024
It’s a shame to say so long to Trevino, but we’ll be interested to see if Cruz can work some bullpen magic with Matt Blake in 2024.
