The New York Yankees have finalized a trade sending catcher José Treviño to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson.
Fernando Cruz, the centerpiece of the deal for New York, is a 34-year-old right-handed pitcher known for his impressive strikeout ability. In the 2024 season, Cruz struck out an astounding 109 batters across 66.2 innings pitched. While his ERA was a higher-than-ideal 4.86, his strikeout potential makes him a promising addition to the Yankees’ bullpen. Under the guidance of pitching coach Matt Blake, who has a strong track record with relievers, Cruz’s effectiveness could improve significantly. Moreover, Cruz is under team control through the 2029 season, providing long-term value to the Yankees.
This trade also offers financial relief for New York, as Treviño was projected to earn over $3 million in 2025, his final season before free agency. Treviño departs after three solid seasons with the Yankees and now joins the Reds.
The Yankees also acquired Alex Jackson, another catcher, in the trade. While specifics about Jackson’s skillset remain unclear, it is anticipated that he will compete for the role of backup catcher, effectively replacing Treviño on the roster.
By making this move, the Yankees address bullpen depth with a high-upside reliever while saving money and preparing for a potential reshuffling of their catching options.
