MLB side Cincinnati Reds have traded veteran Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for infield prospect Nick Quintana.

The 31-year-old Barnhart has left the Reds after eight years. The backstop has led the Reds in starts behind the plate and innings caught in the last six seasons, winning the National League Gold Gloves in 2017 and 2020.

“Coming into this offseason, we knew that catcher was a priority position for us. During our strategy meetings over the last couple of weeks in Lakeland with my front office staff, Tucker’s name came up many times as an attractive option for our ballclub as someone who is a real plus defender, knows how to lead a pitching staff, and is a solid contributor from the batter’s box,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said.

The Reds let go of Barnhart due to the rise of rookie Tyler Stephenson, who split time behind the plate last season.

Barnhart hit .247 with seven homeruns and 48 RBIs in 2021. Stephenson had a breakout season, hitting .286 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs.

In exchange, the Reds get the 24-year-old Quintana, who was a second-round pick of the Tigers in the 2019 draft. In 2021, he hit .196 with nine homers for the Tigers’ Low-A affiliate in Lakeland, Florida.

Reds general manager Nick Krall said trading Barnhart, one of the team’s most popular players, was a difficult decision.

“But going into 2022, we must align our payroll to our resources and continue focusing on scouting and developing young talent from within our system,” he said.

Barnhart said it was bittersweet leaving the organization that drafted him but he is looking forward to playing in Detroit.

“This is an exciting time for a team that’s undergone such a big transformation over the last few years,” he said.

“AJ (Hinch) is one of the best managers in all of baseball, and I’m looking forward to working with him, the coaching staff, and other teammates to bring the playoffs and a World Series Championship back to the Motor City,” Barnhart added.

(With AP inputs)