BREAKING-NEWS; DONE DEAL: Yankees Acquire Top Experience Reliever, And Catcher From Reds For Trevino

During the recent Winter Meetings in Dallas, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman shared that the team had received multiple inquiries about its catching depth, an area they had viewed as a strength heading into the offseason. While these inquiries didn’t guarantee a trade, Cashman indicated that one was possible. On Friday evening, the Yankees completed a deal with the Reds, acquiring right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson in exchange for catcher Jose Trevino.

Cruz, 34, posted a 3-8 record with a 4.86 ERA in 69 appearances (three starts) for Cincinnati last season. He recorded 109 strikeouts over 66 2/3 innings, giving him the highest strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate in the Majors at 14.72, and his 37.8% strikeout rate ranked third. In three seasons with the Reds, Cruz has a 4-11 record and a 4.52 ERA in 141 games (seven starts). Since 2023, his 185 strikeouts as a reliever rank fifth in the Majors, behind only Bryan Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Josh Hader, and Tanner Scott.

Cruz is expected to bolster the Yankees’ bullpen, joining recently acquired closer Devin Williams from the Brewers. Luke Weaver will take on a setup role, and the Yankees hope to have Jonathan Loáisiga back from Tommy John surgery by April or May. Jackson, 28, struggled at the plate in 2024, batting .122 (17-for-139) with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 58 games for the Rays. He also threw out 11 of 39 base stealers (28.2%). In Triple-A Durham, Jackson hit .238 (25-for-105) with eight home runs and 20 RBIs in 28 games.

Over five big league seasons with the Braves, Marlins, Brewers, and Rays, Jackson has hit .132 (40-for-302) with six home runs and 24 RBIs in 124 games. Trevino, 32, was an All-Star and Platinum Glove Award winner in 2022, but his playing time decreased last season as Austin Wells emerged as the team’s primary catcher.

In 73 games, Trevino batted .215 (45-for-209) with eight home runs and 28 RBIs. While still known for his excellent pitch framing and blocking, Trevino struggled with controlling the running game, including a rough outing at Fenway Park in June, where the Red Sox stole a Major League-record nine bases. Overall, Trevino caught only 13 of 70 potential base stealers (18.6%).