Yankees trade for former Rays catcher after historically bad 2024 season

Prior to the Goldschmidt signing, the Yankees struck a deal with the Cincinnati Reds that involved former Rays catcher, Alex Jackson. About a month prior, the Reds signed Jackson to a minor league contract that included an invite to Spring Training. Cincinnati decided to move in a different direction with their catcher depth.

Yankees trade All-Star C Jose Trevino to Reds for RHP Fernando Cruz and C Alex Jackson

The deal between the Yankees and Reds included 2022 All-Star backstop, Jose Trevino and right-handed reliever, Fernando Cruz. The primary piece for the Yankees in this transaction was the Reds split-finger specialist. In 2024, Cruz threw his splitter at a 41% clip, which was more than any other pitch. With his fastball at an average velocity of 94 mph, the splitter dropped off a significant 13 mph with elite movement. The combination of Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz’s offspeed pitches in their 2025 bullpen will be devastating.

Fernando Cruz has the 5th most strikeouts among relievers in baseball over the last two seasons (185).

Here are some of the UGLIEST swings batters have taken against him pic.twitter.com/HvMxcMFEQN

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) December 21, 2024

With that being said, Alex Jackson was clearly a throw-in player in this trade, especially with the Reds acquiring Trevino. It’s hard to know if the 2014 first round pick will make the loaded New York roster out of Spring Training, but Rays fans remember his weaknesses all too well. The 28-year old catcher had one of the worst offensive seasons in Rays franchise history.

Jackson appeared in 58 games for the Rays in 2024 and slashed a miserable .122/.201/.237 for the year. One stat that makes this season look more horrific is his .077 batting average against opposing pitchers’ fastballs. To put that into perspective, fellow Rays catcher, Ben Rortvedt had a much better .209 AVG against the fastball. Meanwhile, AL MVP Aaron Judge recorded a whopping .371 AVG against opposing fastballs. If the Yankees want to get productive at-bats from Jackson this season, then they will need to drastically change his approach at the plate.

Now, this begs the question: why did the Yankees decide to acquire Alex Jackson in this trade? The reason may be that the right-handed hitter has some pretty impressive power potential. Although only homering three times in major league games last season, Jackson has accrued 113 home runs in the minors, as he’s displayed power to all fields.

Here’s Alex Jackson homering in Yankee Stadium this season pic.twitter.com/cAGGv0aVPG

— Dom (@BronxBmbrz) December 21, 2024

The Reds were able to snag a solid backup catcher option in Jose Trevino. His offensive production has dropped off since 2022, but his defense has some bright spots, as he was in the 95th percentile in framing last season. It will be interesting to see how this trade plays out for both clubs in 2025.

Related Posts

BREAKING: Former Fаіled Red Sox Trаde Addіtіon Offіcіаlly Joіnѕ New Teаm Juѕt 4 Dаyѕ After Lаteѕt Releаѕe

The Boston Red Sox may be looking to upgrade their roster ahead of this month’s trade deadline. But as Red Sox fans know, not all deadline deals are guaranteed

BREAKING: Boѕton Offerѕ Logіcаl Lаndіng Sрot for Record-Breаkіng Slugger

As he showed with a recent home run hitting display, Josh Bell can still slug, and he would fit nicely at first base for Boston.

BREAKING: Red Sox’ѕ Alex Corа reveаlѕ 3 keyѕ to Boѕton’ѕ recent hot ѕtreаk

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora credits the club’s recent surge to three core fundamentals fueling their AL East playoff push.

Breаkіng: Phіllіeѕ trаde рroрoѕаl lаndѕ Jаrren Durаn іn Red Sox blockbuѕter

The Philadelphia Phillies are shopping for upgrades at the trade deadline, and Boston’s Jarren Duran could fill their hole in the outfield.

Braves Update: At least one struggling Braves star might finally be turning a corner

Many reasons explain why the Atlanta Braves have been arguably the most disappointing MLB team this season, but one of them has to do with their underperforming…

White Sox Minor League Update: July 9, 2025

Bryan Ramos hit a grand slam, and the affiliates went 5-1 in an excellent day for the farm system