Jose Trevino cherished every moment of being a New York Yankee.
While a player’s personal attachment to a team shouldn’t factor into decisions about trades, it’s still an important part of the larger story. When reflecting on Trevino’s time in pinstripes, his deep love for the team — and the connection it had to his late father — is worth acknowledging.
Trevino’s bond with the Yankees is rooted in his father’s admiration for the team. As a child, he would reenact game scenarios, always setting them in an imaginary Yankee Stadium — a tradition his father, Joe “Bugé” Trevino, instilled in him. Tragically, Joe passed away during Trevino’s junior year at Oral Roberts University.
Then, on May 25, 2022, Trevino stepped to the plate at Yankee Stadium in extra innings, on the very night that would have been his father’s birthday. By this point, the light-hitting catcher — originally acquired to serve a more peripheral role — had become more important to the team than anyone anticipated.
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.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 21, 2024
On that particular night, with two runners on and one out in the 11th inning, Trevino found himself with the chance to fulfill a moment he and his father had always imagined. His bat, often more reliable for its defense than its offense, could become the deciding factor, if everything aligned perfectly.
Trevino, perhaps with an unseen hand guiding him, smacked a line drive down the left field line. It felt like a gift from above — a moment that was, in a sense, for his father.
Yankees Trade Catcher Jose Trevino to Cincinnati Reds
Jose Trevino’s time with the New York Yankees came to an end when he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. His journey with the Yankees began on a high note, particularly following his dramatic moment in 2022, when he hit a game-winning line drive on his late father’s birthday. That momentum carried him to the All-Star Game that summer, but injuries soon took their toll. In 2023, a wrist injury required surgery, and upon his return in 2024, Trevino struggled with diminished throwing strength, leading to a particularly tough moment on Sunday Night Baseball in Boston, where the Red Sox ran wild on him.
As his salary climbed to $3 million, the Yankees had long been expected to seek an upgrade at the backup catcher position this offseason. Just when it seemed like everything was falling into place, the Yankees surprised many by trading away Carlos Narvaez, their defensive-minded backup. This left questions lingering: Would the Yankees stick with Trevino? Or were they eyeing a more budget-friendly option? Was there a pitching prospect from the Red Sox they simply couldn’t pass up?
Ultimately, after a brief period of post-Winter Meetings reflection, the Yankees made their move. Late Wednesday night, they traded Trevino to the Reds in exchange for reliever Fernando Cruz, known for having one of the best splitters in the game (tied with current Yankee Mark Leiter Jr.). Along with Cruz, the Yankees also received catcher Alex Jackson, who is unlikely to step in as Trevino’s successor, either on the field or in the clubhouse.
Trevino’s time with the Yankees was filled with moments many childhood Yankee fans would dream of, including a World Series appearance and multiple walk-off hits during the 2022 season, when the Yankees raced to the best record in baseball. His fall from grace, however, was swift, and now he will look to find new success in Cincinnati. While it may not be the Yankees, the Reds’ passionate baseball community will surely embrace him.
As for the Yankees’ return, the addition of Cruz is intriguing. The right-handed reliever posted an outstanding .116 opponents’ batting average and a .149 slugging percentage against his splitter in 2024. With control through 2028, Cruz represents an under-the-radar, but potentially valuable, asset for the Yankees’ bullpen. If the Yankees can unlock his potential, Cruz could add depth and stability to their relief corps, making this trade a smart, if unconventional, move in their bullpen-building strategy.
