TREVINO TRADED TO THE REDS
The Cincinnati Reds acquired catcher Jose Trevino from the New York Yankees for pitcher Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson.
What does it give the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds bring in a solid backup catcher in Trevino. The 32-year-old veteran does not hit for much average or get on base regularly, but he can put the ball in play and hit with some power. A good defender, Trevino will form a strong catching tandem with starter Tyler Stephenson in Cincinnati this season. That said, he could see a downgrade in playing time with the Reds (after spending a lot of time as the starting catcher in the Bronx).
What does it give the New York Yankees
With Austin Wells emerging as their starting catcher, the Yankees chose to upgrade their bullpen with this trade. Cruz is an elite strikeout reliever (14.72 K/9 in 66.2 IP last season). He does have trouble with walks, but expect him to get a shot in high-leverage situations in New York. Jackson should now compete for the vacant backup catcher job. He has struggled against MLB pitching and could end up as depth in the minors.
Fantasy impact
In fantasy baseball, Cruz is the most interesting name on the move in this trade. He should remain a great source of strikeouts, but he may have to earn a high-leverage role in New York's bullpen. If it does not work out, he could end up with fewer holds while pitching in middle relief (which would hurt his fantasy value). Likewise, Trevino is now likely to see less playing time, making him a non-factor in nearly all formats. Jackson should not be rostered even if he is able to carve out a role with the Yankees in 2025.
