FA Torres claims ‘I am in a good spot’ as he wins back-to-back off-field honors

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Free-agent second baseman Gleyber Torres made a rare appearance with a beard at the 15th annual Christian Rivera Foundation Celebrity Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Tuesday night, marking a shift from his usual clean-shaven look on the field. At the event, Torres was honored with the “Heroes Award” for his community service throughout his seven years with the New York Yankees.

Explaining his facial hair, Torres noted that while he prefers to stay clean-shaven during the season due to skin irritation, the off-season provides an opportunity for his face to rest and recover.

As he approaches the 2025 season, Gleyber Torres stands at a career crossroads after concluding his seven-year tenure with the New York Yankees. His time in New York produced a solid .265/.334/.441 slash line, with 138 home runs and 441 RBIs. While he earned two All-Star selections, his tenure was not without its setbacks, including occasional benchings for perceived lapses in hustle. However, Torres showcased his best form in 2024, particularly when batting leadoff, where he posted a .283 average and a .350 on-base percentage.

When asked about the possibility of returning to the Yankees, Torres refrained from offering a specific likelihood. He expressed confidence in his agent’s efforts and noted that he eagerly anticipates updates on his situation. With the market currently focused on other players and moves, Torres finds himself in a holding pattern.

“I don’t have a number,” he said. “I think my agent is doing a really good job right now. I’m literally waiting for the call every day. … Everything is going to a different player in a different market. I’m just waiting right now. I … played here [since] 2018. I had a really good run. They are family. I know everybody in the organization, but it’s a business. I can control only what I can control. Let’s see [where] it’s going to be in the next few months.”

Regarding his decision to unfollow the Yankees on Instagram, Torres explained it as part of a broader effort to declutter his rarely used social media accounts and focus more on family. While reflecting on his connection to the Yankees, Torres acknowledged the deep bond he’s built with the organization since joining in 2018, calling them “family” and noting his strong ties to everyone involved. However, he was pragmatic about the business realities of baseball, recognizing that his future is largely out of his hands and will be determined in the coming months.

Torres shared that he is enjoying his offseason, taking time for beach visits before attending the charitable gala. Despite the uncertainty about his next step, he remains optimistic about his future in the game.

“I think I’m in a good spot,” he said. “I’m enjoying my vacation. I was at the beach a couple of days ago and now I’m here to help with a really good event. I’m looking forward to the future.”

Torres’ charitable work off the field has been notable, particularly his role as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and his ongoing efforts to mentor children and individuals with disabilities. One memorable moment came during the 2019 Spring Training when young cancer patient Zack Schwartz requested Torres hit a home run for him. In an emotional gesture, Torres honored the request by hitting a home run in his first at-bat.

When asked if he considered himself a hero, Torres responded with humility, stating that he simply strives to make a positive impact both on and off the field. He reiterated his commitment to helping others, especially children, and emphasized his readiness to continue supporting those in need.

In a separate baseball-related initiative, Special Olympics recently announced the appointment of MLB All-Stars Gleyber Torres and Willson Contreras as global ambassadors. This marks a historic moment, as the two Venezuelan-born players become the first MLB athletes to take on this important role. Their bilingual abilities position them uniquely to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the Americas.

Yankees’ Torres replacement

At last week’s GM meetings in San Antonio, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman took a measured approach when discussing Gleyber Torres, opting not to delve deeply into the player’s strengths and weaknesses. Cashman acknowledged that Torres, a free agent this offseason, is likely to draw interest from multiple teams in need of middle infield help, including the Yankees, and expressed appreciation for Torres’ contributions during his time in New York.

While the door is not entirely closed for Torres to return, the Yankees are exploring other options. One such possibility involves Jazz Chisholm Jr., who could make a positional shift from third base to second, allowing the team to pursue a new third baseman. At 28 years old, Torres is just one of several solutions the team is weighing for its infield.

Torres sparked some attention when he removed Yankees-related content from his social media accounts, but such actions are typical for players entering free agency. Torres himself addressed the situation by stating he is a free agent and enjoying his offseason, noting that he is content with his current position.

Although Torres experienced some offensive struggles this past season, he remains an intriguing option for potential suitors, with reports suggesting teams like Toronto could be among the interested parties.

If Torres signs elsewhere, the Yankees could turn to internal candidates like minor-league prospect Caleb Durbin. Durbin impressed with his performance at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and had a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, positioning him as a potential option to fill Torres’ spot at second base.

At 24 years old, Caleb Durbin’s professional journey has been hindered by injuries, with no season surpassing 105 games played. Scouts note his speed and contact skills as strengths, but caution that his development timeline is becoming increasingly urgent as he progresses.

Durbin’s defensive flexibility is another asset, having logged time at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield. His hitting style, which emphasizes contact, has drawn comparisons to San Diego’s Luis Arraez, highlighting his ability to make consistent contact at the plate.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Durbin’s potential for 2025, stating during a Monday Zoom conference that the young infielder has positioned himself as a viable candidate for a starting spot. However, Boone tempered expectations by referencing the team’s experience with Oswald Peraza, acknowledging that success in the minors doesn’t always translate to the major leagues.

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