Before signing Goldschmidt, the Yankees made a trade with the Cincinnati Reds involving former Rays catcher Alex Jackson. About a month earlier, the Reds had signed Jackson to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, but decided to adjust their catching depth.
Yankees Deal All-Star Catcher Jose Trevino to Reds for RHP Fernando Cruz and C Alex Jackson
In the trade between the Yankees and Reds, 2022 All-Star catcher Jose Trevino was sent to Cincinnati along with right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz.
The key acquisition for the Yankees was Cruz, a specialist known for his splitter, which he threw 41% of the time in 2024. His fastball averaged 94 mph, while his splitter dropped 13 mph with exceptional movement. When paired with Devin Williams, Cruz’s offspeed pitches will make a formidable bullpen duo for 2025.
As for Alex Jackson, he seemed more like a secondary player in this deal, especially with the Reds bringing in Trevino. It’s unclear if Jackson will make the Yankees’ roster out of Spring Training, as the 28-year-old has struggled offensively.
Alex Jackson
His 2024 season with the Rays was disastrous, posting a .122/.201/.237 slash line and hitting just .077 against fastballs, a stat that further highlights his difficulties. In comparison, Rays teammate Ben Rortvedt batted .209 against fastballs, while Aaron Judge hit an impressive .371.
So why did the Yankees acquire Jackson? The answer could lie in his power potential. Despite a tough major league season, Jackson has hit 113 home runs in the minors and has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Meanwhile, the Reds gained a solid backup catcher in Trevino. Though his offense has declined since 2022, Trevino’s defensive skills, particularly his framing, ranked in the 95th percentile last season. The outcome of this trade will be interesting to follow for both teams in 2025.
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