For most of the last seven seasons, Gleyber Torres was a key regular for the New York Yankees, initially at shortstop and later at second base. When healthy, Torres was an integral part of the team’s success since 2018.
However, Torres has struggled with inconsistency in recent years. After strong performances in 2018 and 2019, earning two All-Star selections, his game dipped in 2020-21. He rebounded over the next two seasons, appearing to offer the Yankees a reliable 25-homer threat each year.
Though Torres performed well in the second half of the 2023 season and in the playoffs, his poor first-half numbers left him with a .709 OPS and a 104 wRC+. This inconsistency led him to accept a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers to regain his value and aim for a lucrative contract in the 2025-26 offseason.
Torres is confident in his abilities, expressing his belief in himself as he embarks on this new chapter with Detroit. He had several offers but chose the Tigers, drawn by their young and family-like atmosphere, as reported by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.
While Detroit’s ballpark may not be ideal for Torres to post his best offensive numbers, he remains a strong hitter in his prime and will be supported by a solid lineup, including Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter. His primary goal is to perform well enough to secure a $100 million deal when he returns to free agency.
The Yankees had the chance to keep Torres but neither extended a qualifying offer nor expressed strong interest once he became a free agent. As a result, the talented yet inconsistent infielder joined the up-and-coming Tigers.
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