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For the second time in three weeks, the New York Yankees traded for a backup catcher. The Yankees have traded backstop Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers for right Albert Abreu and left Robby Ahlstrom, both teams announced. Trevino is considered the backup catcher on New York’s opening day.
Last month, the Yankees acquired catcher Ben Rortvedt in the Josh Donaldson/Isiah Kiner-Falefa trade with the Minnesota Twins, and Rortvedt was set to be Kyle Higashioka’s replacement. However, he did not play this spring due to an oblique injury and is expected to start the season on the injured list.
Trevino, like Higashioka and Rortvedt, is an exceptional court frame with a lightweight racquet. The 29-year-old is a .245/.270/.364 hitter with nine homers in 156 games spread over four seasons. Last year, Trevino, Higashioka, and Rortvedt ranked third, ninth, and eleventh in Statcast’s strike rate (at least 800 pitches caught). They are elite framers.
Last season, the 26-year-old Abreu had a 5.15 ERA in 36 2/3 innings with the Yankees, though most of his damage came in two appearances. He conceded 11 runs and had a total of two outs in those two games. In his other 26 appearances, he allowed 10 runs in 36 innings. Abreu has a bowling ball sinker, but also has control issues.
It’s worth noting that Abreu no longer has any minor league options, meaning he has to go through waivers to get to Triple-A. The Yankees like to use the last spot (or two) in their bullpen to bring fresh helpers in and out, and Abreu would have limited their roster flexibility. The Rebuild-ish Rangers can afford to keep Abreu in the bullpen and give him a long look.
Ahlstrom, 22, was New York’s seventh-round pick in last year’s draft. The southpaw had a 2.80 ERA in 14 starts and 90 innings with the University of Oregon last spring. He has yet to make his pro debut. Ahlstrom is not in MLB.com’s Top 30 Yankees Prospects.