Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees Acquire Catcher Jose Trevino From Rangers in Trade For Reliever Albert Abreu

Abreu pitched in 28 games with the Yankees last year out of the bullpen, but the right-hander was out of minor league options for this season.

Max Goodman

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TAMPA — The Yankees have acquired veteran catcher Joe Trevino from the Rangers in exchange for right-hander Albert Abreu and left-hander Robert Ahlstrom, the team announced on Saturday evening.

Abreu appeared in 28 games with the Yankees last season, a reliever with plenty of potential at the big-league level. The 26-year-old posted a 5.15 ERA in 2021.

The problem with Abreu, however, was that he didn't have any minor league options remaining. That was poised to be an issue for manager Aaron Boone and the Yankees' coaching staff as they are set to embark on the first month of the regular season, routinely restocking the bullpen with fresh arms to allow everyone to ease into their full-season workload after an abbreviated spring.

New York was able to use Abreu and Ahlstrom—a seventh-round pick from the 2021 First-Year Player Draft—to bolster their depth at catcher, one of the other big question marks when it comes to their Opening Day roster.

Kyle Higashioka, who has been swinging a scorching hot bat this spring, will start behind the dish. The Yankees acquired defense-first backstop Ben Rortvedt from the Twins in the Gary Sánchez trade, but he's likely to start the season on the injured list, nursing an oblique injury.

Now, rather than relying on options like Rob Brantly, Max McDowell or David Freitas—all non-roster invitees at Yankees camp—New York can slot Trevino in as Higashioka's backup. 

Trevino, 29, batted .239 (68-for-285) with five home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs scored in 89 games with Texas last year. Over parts of four Major League seasons, Trevino has hit .245 (120-for-489) with 31 doubles and nine homers. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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