NASHVILLE — Persistent trade rumors surrounding Gleyber Torres go back to the 2022 offseason. However, the Yankees have made their preference for the Venezuelan player known on Tuesday, and he will continue as their starting second baseman in the upcoming season.
According to Yankees GM Cashman, after the season they went through, there are very few untouchable players. Though he expressed the need to be open-minded, he acknowledged the need to keep Gleyber Torres. The general manager indicated a reluctance to trade him, emphasizing his liking for the player and place on the New York roster.
“After a season we went through. I’d say there’d be very few untouchables,” Cashman said. “I think we have to be very open-minded. Do I want to trade Gleyber Torres? Do I want to trade Michael King? Do I want to trade any of these guys? The answer would be no. I like the players we have.”
Yankees need Gleyber Torres
Following reports at the 2023 trade deadline and now in the offseason, determining the course of action regarding Gleyber Torres poses a challenging decision. While his performance in the previous season stood out as one of the best on a Yankees team that frequently faced challenges in scoring runs, the fact that he is a year away from free agency adds complexity. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Gleyber Torres is projected to see a substantial salary increase next season, nearly tripling from $5.162 million to $15.3 million. Additionally, occasional mental lapses in the field and on the bases can be a source of frustration.
Gleyber Torres, set to turn 27 on December 13, posted a .273 batting average with 25 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .800 OPS over 158 games in the previous season. This performance marked his best year since his initial two seasons in the majors, both of which were All-Star seasons. In 2017, Gleyber Torres recorded a .271 batting average with 24 home runs, 77 RBIs, and an .820 OPS in 123 games. In 2018, Torres achieved a .278 batting average with 38 home runs, 90 RBIs, and a .871 OPS in 144 games.
Despite these achievements, the Yankees have not initiated discussions with Gleyber Torres regarding a contract extension, and it appears unlikely that this will change. As a result, his future with the team remains uncertain for the upcoming season and beyond.
Cashman mentioned that the individual is entering his free-agent walk year and expressed the belief that he has a strong affinity for the team. Cashman anticipated that the player would have a significant season, emphasizing the team’s reliance on Gleyber Torres to deliver a standout performance.
Cashman also acknowledged the player’s past performance, highlighting that Gleyber Torres was the team’s second-best hitter last year, trailing only Aaron Judge. In light of this, Cashman emphasized the player’s potential to play a crucial role as the team progresses, adding that there isn’t much more to elaborate on.
Cashman admits Gleyber Torres trade inquiries
Cahman conveyed that they believed their team was better than its performance in the previous year indicated. They acknowledged their responsibility to enhance the team but noted the necessity of making trades, emphasizing the principle of giving to receive. Unless a player has a full no-trade clause, the speaker explained that they might have to part with assets to acquire players deemed beneficial for the team. They expressed a willingness to engage in conversations and thoroughly consider all aspects of potential trades, underscoring the importance of exploring opportunities that could significantly impact the team.
Gleyber Torres lacks a no-trade clause, making him an asset that Cashman is not compelled to utilize urgently. But he mentioned that Gleyber Torres had another good year and expressed his belief that he is among the better second basemen in the game, seeing the potential for significant contributions to the team. However, Cashman also noted that Gleyber Torres has been the subject of inquiries from other teams over the past two years, including during the last two winters and the trade deadline last year.
“Gleyber had another good year,” Cashman said. “I think he’s one of the better second basemen in the game. I think he has a chance to really help us. But he’s also been someone teams have asked us about the last two years, whether it’s the last two winters, last year at the trade deadline.”
In the past few years, including the previous summer, the Marlins have been the team making the most concerted efforts to negotiate a deal for Gleyber Torres. Cashman added that the presence of the player is a result of the team’s belief in him, considering it the most optimal decision at the time.
No fruitful winter meeting
The Winter Meetings conclude on Wednesday, and it’s likely that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will return to New York with his team in a similar position to when he initially arrived in Music City the previous Sunday.
The Yankees continue to face a significant vacancy in left field, with ongoing trade discussions with the Padres for Juan Soto at a standstill. As of now, there has been no shift to an alternative plan, such as pursuing Cody Bellinger. Additionally, the team is yet to conduct a face-to-face meeting with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the highly sought-after Japanese ace they are keenly interested in acquiring.
In due course, the Yankees intend to undertake strategic maneuvers to enhance a roster that registered a disappointing 82-80 record in 2023, and it is possible that players they value may be subject to trade discussions. No notable additions have been made thus far, but it’s worth noting that the hot-stove season is still in its early stages.
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