After initially becoming a member of the Yankees as a 19-year-old, hot-shot prospect, Gleyber Torres by no means hid his need to stay in pinstripes long-term.
Simply final spring, he even sounded open to the concept of giving the Yankees a reduction. Nonetheless, the group all the time appeared prone to transfer in a special path with Torres hitting free company this winter — and that was earlier than the second baseman endured an up-and-down marketing campaign on the plate and a head-scratching season within the discipline and on the bases.
“I’ve talked to Gleyber’s agents,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman not too long ago mentioned when requested if the door had closed on Torres’ tenure with the group. “So I’d say that until we or he do something, there’s always an opportunity.”
Because the Yankees know, Torres isn’t essentially the most sure-handed defender. His 18 errors have been the sixth-most within the majors and essentially the most amongst second basemen in 2024. Fashionable defensive metrics, together with Defensive Runs Saved (-11), Outs Above Common (-7) and Fielding Run Worth (-5) didn’t price him nicely both.
Torres was additionally benched twice final season, as soon as in late June for a mix of efficiency and poor hustle, the opposite in August solely for hustle. He doesn’t have the most effective instincts on the bases: in response to FanGraphs’ BsR metric, Torres was the sixth-worst baserunner within the majors in 2024.
On the plate, Torres seemed misplaced previous to the June benching, slashing simply .215/.295/.333. Nonetheless, he hit .298/.365/.421 after it and ultimately emerged because the Yankees’ leadoff man, constantly setting the desk for Juan Soto and Aaron Choose within the second half.
Torres ended the 12 months with a .257/.330/.378 slash line, 15 residence runs, 63 RBI and a 104 wRC+. He then hit .241/.348/.397 with two residence runs and eight RBI over 14 playoff video games.
When the Bombers misplaced the World Sequence to the Dodgers in 5 video games, media scrums targeted on Choose, Soto, Gerrit Cole and others. Torres didn’t get an opportunity to speak earlier than exiting Yankee Stadium’s residence clubhouse for what turned out to be the ultimate time.
Torres, first acquired within the 2016 commerce that despatched Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, hit .265/.334/.441 with 138 homers and 441 RBI over seven seasons with the Yankees, the one main league membership he’s performed for.
The Yankees should now determine who their beginning second baseman might be transferring ahead. The identical goes for third base.
The expectation is that Jazz Chisholm Jr. will play one of many two, as the previous Marlin discovered the new nook on the fly after beginning his profession at second, the place he’s most aware of. The Yankees may herald a extra skilled third baseman and transfer Chisholm again to second, however exterior choices are restricted at each spots.
“We were very surprised how he took to a very difficult position, and it certainly wasn’t perfect because it was new to him, but golly he at least made you realize that it’s possible that you might already have your third baseman,” Cashman mentioned of Chisholm on the Winter Conferences. “I think middle infield is probably easier, because it’s something that he’s done. Third still is something he’ll finish off, if that’s where he stays, but I don’t know, it just depends on the directions, the opportunities.”
If the Yankees fail so as to add a 3rd baseman and maintain Chisholm there, inside candidates for second base embrace Oswaldo Cabrera, who’s greatest suited in a utility position; DJ LeMahieu, who has struggled with efficiency and well being in recent times; Oswald Peraza, who hasn’t proven he can hit huge league pitching; and Jorbit Vivas, who has but to debut.
With Torres gone, the Yankees additionally don’t have an apparent leadoff man. On-hand decisions may embrace Chisholm and Anthony Volpe, who would every include flaws within the position.
