New York Yankees acquire RHP Fernando Cruz and C Alex Jackson

The New York Yankees have announced the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher Jose Trevino.

Fernando Cruz, 34:

• 2024 Performance: Went 3-8 with a 4.86 ERA in 69 appearances, including three starts. Recorded 109 strikeouts in 66.2 innings, leading Major League pitchers with 14.72 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and ranking third with a 37.8% strikeout rate.
• Career Stats: Over three Major League seasons (2022-24), Cruz has a 4-11 record with a 4.52 ERA in 141 games (seven starts). He has held right-handed batters to a .187/.270/.319 slash line.
• Notable Achievements: His 185 strikeouts as a reliever since 2023 are the fifth-most among Major League relievers. Originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Cruz was signed by the Reds to a minor league contract in January 2022.

Alex Jackson, 28:

• 2024 Performance: Hit .122 with 17 runs, 7 doubles, 3 home runs, and 12 RBI in 58 games with the Tampa Bay Rays. Threw out 28.2% of attempted base stealers. In 28 games with Triple-A Durham, he hit .238 with 8 home runs and 20 RBI.
• Career Stats: Over parts of five Major League seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays, Jackson has a .132 batting average with 6 home runs and 24 RBI. Originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, he signed with the Reds as a minor league free agent in November 2024.

Jose Trevino, 32:

• 2024 Performance: Hit .215 with 8 home runs and 28 RBI in 74 games with the Yankees.
• Career Stats: Over parts of seven Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers and Yankees, Trevino has a .236 batting average with 32 home runs and 141 RBI in 400 career games. Selected in the sixth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, he was acquired by the Yankees from the Rangers in April 2022.

This trade aims to bolster the Yankees’ bullpen and catching depth as they look ahead to the next season.