Entering the offseason, it seemed highly plausible that the New York Yankees would choose to move on from backup catcher Jose Trevino following a down year. After all, his throwing arm regressed to the point where he was nearly unplayable, at times. Without defensive excellence, his lesser bat was exposed. Even his relatively low salary of $3.45 million seemed ripe for the trimming, given the Yankees’ recent concerns. Plus, no matter; New York had Carlos Narvaez ready to back him up.

Except now they don’t. Trevino was dealt in exchange for strikeout-forward reliever Fernando Cruz. Narvaez, a sturdy backstop with an unclear ceiling, was traded to the Red Sox; the Yankees received top-15 pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and his triple-digit heater.

The Yankees may yet come out on top in both deals, but as of mid-January, their “too many catchers” problem has been resolved in strange fashion. It’s entirely unclear who’ll be carried on the Opening Day roster behind Austin Wells, and whether that person is even in the system. If Wells goes down, is there anyone they trust to snag the position more permanently?

Who is the New York Yankees’ backup catcher as 2025 spring training approaches?

At this moment in time, the only player on the depth chart below Wells who has significant MLB experience is Alex Jackson, a former Braves top prospect and the second piece of the Fernando Cruz trade. Unfortunately, you’d probably rather he didn’t have recent MLB experience, given that he ended his 2024 season hitting .122 with a 26 OPS+. He did homer off Nestor Cortes Jr., though, in case you wanted to feel even worse.

Below Jackson on the depth chart are prospects J.C. Escarra and Jesus Rodriguez. Rodriguez was added to the 40-man roster and protected from the Rule 5 Draft back in November; the 22-year-old is highly unlikely to receive MLB reps this season. Escarra, a 29-year-old mystery, was added earlier that month. The Yankees purportedly very much like him. and the lefty swinger hit .302 with a .930 OPS and eight homers in 52 games at the Triple-A level last season. Though he’s rawer than Jackson, he has displayed plenty of pop after resurfacing in the Yankees’ system after a three-year gap away from affiliated ball.

Escarra rising from the Gastonia Honey Hunters and Mexican League ball to the big-league Yankees in two years’ time would be an exceptional story. If you’d prefer the comfort of an experienced backstop, though, the Yankees will likely have to go and get one instead of promoting from within. We hear (shudders) Christian Vázquez’s $10 million is up for grabs in Minnesota.