Yankees’ Jose Trevino steals show again with spectacular slide, homer

Jose Trevino is becoming more than just the New York Yankees‘ spark plug. As the calendar turns to May, he might just be one of the most valuable catchers in all of baseball after being acquired just before Opening Day in exchange for Albert Abreu (who’s since been DFA’d by the Rangers, by the way).

With offense depressed throughout the league at the catcher position, the Yankees emphasized defense and framing this offseason when they traded Gary Sánchez to Minnesota. Sánchez has shined offensively, but has split his reps between catcher and DH, something that would’ve been nearly impossible in New York.

The Yankees’ plan has worked to perfection, though not at all how they expected it to. Kyle Higashioka hasn’t taken the reins at the position, ranking among the AL’s worst hitters with a 26 OPS+. Ben Rortvedt, the intriguing young catcher acquired from the Twins in the Sánchez deal, has battled oblique and knee issues, and is currently on the shelf long-term after surgery.

Trevino, nabbed just in the nick of time? He’s already won the narrative battle, inserting himself firmly into Yankees lore with his walk-off that honored his deceased father’s birthday/capped a wacky game in Baltimore. And, on Tuesday, he showed off funky dominance with some personal flair in all three phases of the game.

The Texas native started with a back-pick to nab Matt Duffy at first base and ended the top of the second inning, preserving a 4-0 lead. Somehow, that out-of-nowhere spark of genius was Trevino’s least impressive feat in this contest.

Standing on third with one out in the bottom of the sixth up 5-0, Trevino sprinted for home on the contact play with DJ LeMahieu up. He should’ve been out by yards, but somehow, thanks to his own ingenuity, he stayed in the baseline and evaded the tag. Mystery!

Yankees’ Jose Trevino had coolest slide ever vs Angels

Maybe we don’t need to rush a Willson Contreras trade to the finish line, huh?

Because somehow, it’s not just the quirky slides and the excellent defense that are carrying Trevino this season (as of this writing, Trevino leads MLB catchers in framing runs and strike rate). He’s also hitting the ball hard with relative consistency.

Trevino sports a 110 wRC+, and tagged a monster insurance two-run shot to deep left field in the bottom of the eighth for a bit more breathing room.

Is there anything this guy can’t do?

Don’t answer that. We actually don’t want the answer. We’d rather live shrouded in mystery.

3 Cubs trade targets Yankees should pursue at 2022 deadline

The New York Yankees should pursue these three Chicago Cubs at the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline to beef up the outfield and bullpen.