Reds Extend Jose Trevino

The new Red has caught a new contract

Here's the Deal

Catcher and new guy Jose Trevino has inked an extension with the Reds, keeping him in Cincinnati for the next three seasons. The deal also has a team option for 2028, so the Reds have 4 seasons of catcher continuity at their disposal.

The new deal covers 2026 and 2027, both worth $5.25M. If they decide to keep Trevino around in 2028, it will cost an additional $6.5M. If they let him go, they will have to buy him out for $1M. Trevino is under contract for $3.4M in 2025.

The former Ranger and Yankee has yet to play a MLB game for the Reds, but the team obviously likes what it sees. This is evident by the trade and subsequent extension for the backstop.

Backup Catcher - Francona's Key to Success?

This is an interesting move at an interesting time. Primary catcher Tyler Stephenson signed a one-year deal prior to 2025 for $4.9M, avoiding arbitration. He is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season unless an extension is offered.

Trevino, age 32, does not have a track record as an everyday player. The most games he has played in a season was 115 back in 2022 during his All-Star and Gold Glove campaign. He caught 55 in 2023 and 73 in 2024. If the Reds move on from Stephenson in two seasons, Trevino would not figure to be in line to assume primary catching duties.

This extension has Terry Francona written all over it. Francona has a history of keeping catchers close. Catcher Roberto Perez was the secondary catcher in Cleveland for 8 years (2014-2021) during Tito's tenure.

Catcher Doug Mirabelli was the backup in Boston when Francona arrived at the helm. He was traded to San Diego at the end of Francona's second season with the Sox, but was brought back just a couple of months into the following season in a bizarre move. While the return of Mirabelli to Francona's dugout was more likely a function of needing someone to handle Tim Wakefield's knuckler, perhaps this started Terry's requirement to have a sturdy backup behind the plate.

The last time the Reds won the division, they had the strong catching tandem of Ryan Hanigan and Ramon Hernandez. Let's hope Trevino and Stephenson can replicate the success of the "Hernanigan" days over the next few seasons.