Before the start of the 2022 season, the New York Yankees executed a three-player trade with the Texas Rangers. The Bombers sent prospects Albert Abreu and Robby Ahlstrom to Texas. In exchange, they received catcher Jose Treviño, who has been a phenomenal addition to the starting lineup.
Treviño has stolen the starting catcher job from Kyle Higashioka. He’s hitting .278 with a 33.6% on-base rate and five homers this season. He’s also tallied 19 RBIs, a 12.6% strikeout rate, and 7.6% walk rate.
In the deal, general manager Brian Cashman sent Abreu on his way, a 26-year-old relief pitcher who had just 38 innings of action at the Major League level over two seasons. This year, he spent 13 innings with Texas and Kansas City, posting a 3.46 ERA and 96.6% left on base rate. By the numbers, Albert wasn’t pitching poorly, especially given his potential at such a ripe age.
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What is Albert Abreu bringing back to the New York Yankees?
Abreu hosts a four-seam fastball, sinker, change-up, and slider. The flamethrower clocks out at 97.7 mph with his fastball and 88.2 mph slider. Pitching coach Matt Blake could have a field day with Abreu. He offers solid value given the Yankees traded him at the beginning of the season and he’s already made his way back in exchange for one of the league’s best defensive catchers.
This is just another example of Cashman’s genius this past off-season, landing a stellar player in exchange for multiple prospects who clearly aren’t making a significant impact. Abreu will immediately join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, waiting for another opportunity to make an impression at the big league level.
However, with double-digit innings of experience under his belt, the Yankees could call upon him to make an appearance shortly, especially with several pitchers fighting their way back from injury.