Gleyber Torres is heading into the postseason with a mindset focused on the present, knowing that his future with the Yankees remains uncertain as free agency looms. Torres acknowledged that he’s thought about the possibility that this could be his last playoff run with the team.
The Yankees’ second baseman admitted it’s hard to predict what lies ahead but stressed his desire to enjoy each moment with his teammates during their postseason push.
“Sometimes I do think about it, I’m not gonna lie,’’ he said as the Yankees met the Pirates. “The future is difficult to predict and I don’t know what’s gonna happen after the postseason. I’m trying to enjoy everything with my teammates and we have another playoffs to be in. We don’t know if it’s the last celebration for me or for any of us. So I want to play well.”
Torres admits to his bad performance
Reflecting on his season, which has had its ups and downs, Torres noted that his offensive performance has improved recently. In the past 13 games, he’s notched five extra-base hits and posted a solid .782 OPS over the last 61 games, dating back to mid-July.
Torres candidly discussed the early-season struggles that plagued him, describing those periods as “horrible and frustrating.” Despite putting in daily work in the batting cages, his efforts didn’t always show up on the field, leading to hitless outings, errors, and strikeouts. He expressed gratitude for his teammates, whose strong performances helped cover for his slump, and took pride in his own turnaround after the All-Star break.
“It’s really hard to explain how I started and struggling the first few months,’’ the Yankees star told. “It was really horrible and frustrating. Every day, I’d go to the [batting] cage, do the right thing and then go 0-for-4 with errors and strikeouts. It’s a good thing everybody else was raking, but after the [All-Star] break I played better.”
Though Torres has faced criticism for occasional mental lapses and lack of hustle, manager Aaron Boone has remained confident in him, regularly placing Torres at the top of the lineup and trusting him in key defensive roles.
As the postseason approaches, Torres expressed excitement, calling this October run especially meaningful. He acknowledged the lessons learned throughout the season and was pleased to have been part of the team’s division title celebration.
Torres also reflected on the disappointment of missing the playoffs last year, a first for him during his time in New York. After a solid individual season in 2023, the Yankees’ playoff absence stung, making this year’s return to October baseball even more gratifying for the infielder.
Gleyber Torres highlighted the added weight of this year’s success, contrasting it with the disappointment of last season. Reflecting on the Yankees’ consistent playoff appearances from 2018 to 2022, Torres suggested the team may have taken that streak for granted. Missing the postseason last year served as a reality check.
“These playoffs are gonna be really special,’’ Torres said. “I’ve learned a lot this year and we got to celebrate [Thursday]. This year means more because we didn’t celebrate anything last year,’’ Torres said. “From 2018 to ’22, we made the postseason every year and maybe we took it for granted. Then last year we got punched in the face.”
This year, Torres said, he’s developed a deeper appreciation for the team’s accomplishments, especially with the uncertainty surrounding both his and his teammates’ futures. That uncertainty has fueled his desire to perform well and make the most of every moment on the field.
Yet, Torres’ recent play has been tarnished by some of the same issues that have occasionally held him back in his career. He’s faced criticism for a lack of hustle on routine pop-ups and made baserunning errors. A particularly glaring mistake came in a game against the Orioles, where Torres was caught between third base and home after a hit by Juan Soto, halting a rally with Aaron Judge waiting on deck. The Yankees were trailing by one run at the time, and the mistake proved costly.
Despite clinching the AL East title, the Yankees are still chasing the best record in the American League, aiming for home-field advantage through at least the Championship Series. Torres’ baserunning gaffe could have a lasting impact in that race.
Torres acknowledged that he still has areas of his game that need improvement. He expressed gratitude for manager Aaron Boone’s unwavering support, noting how much it means to him. As the postseason approaches, Torres reaffirmed his commitment to stepping up and delivering for the team.
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