{"id":13538,"date":"2024-12-23T05:24:42","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T05:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=13538"},"modified":"2024-12-23T05:24:42","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T05:24:42","slug":"yankees-trade-for-former-rays-catcher-after-historically-bad-2024-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=13538","title":{"rendered":"Yankees trade for former Rays catcher after historically bad 2024 season"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\"Tampa<\/picture><\/div>
Tampa Bay Rays v Oakland Athletics | Brandon Sloter\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Prior to the Goldschmidt signing, the Yankees struck a deal with the Cincinnati Reds that involved former Rays catcher,\u00a0Alex Jackson<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Yankees trade All-Star C Jose Trevino to Reds for RHP Fernando Cruz and C Alex Jackson<\/h2>\n

The deal between the Yankees and Reds included 2022 All-Star backstop, Jose Trevino and right-handed reliever,\u00a0Fernando Cruz<\/a>. 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\u00a0Devin Williams<\/a>\u00a0and Fernando Cruz’s offspeed pitches in their 2025 bullpen will be devastating.<\/p>\n

\n