Torres: "anyone With A Good Family Doesn't Want To Leave His Home."

With the Yankees continuing to pick up depth and build up their infield by exposing some top prospects to big league ball this spring, the question again is will Gleyber Torres be a Yankees after 2024? I have not seen much of Torres this spring as the Yankees test out other players in games. He did get one hit against the Minnesota Twins earlier this week but really that is it. Torres enters his final season before free agency this year. Is this his final season in pinstripes?

“I don’t want to leave,” the 27-year-old infielder said Wednesday. “I want to be a Yankee for life,” Torres said. “Torres has a one-year, $14.2 million contract and is eligible for free agency after the World Series. There have not been any discussions about a long-term deal, and he understands why the team might be reluctant after two notable players who underperformed: Luis Severino and Aaron Hicks,” reported ESPN.

Torres knows that business is business and he remains motivated to play well and hope it is good enough for the Yankees to pay his asking price when the clock tolls especially since phenom Juan Soto will also have a big price tag following this season.

 “I think a lot of people on the outside don’t know what it’s like playing here (for Yankees),” Torres said to Rojas. “I’ve been here since the minors and playing here has been incredible. Anyone with a good family doesn’t want to leave his home, it’s literally like that,” reports Enrique Rojas for ESPN. 

I really admire that statement by Torres. Torres has had a home in New York since the Yankees obtained the then 20-year-old in a 2016 trade with the Chicago Cubs for closer Aroldis Chapman. And the weight of the pinstripes are heavy. Not everyone can hack it. But he has, despite having tough defensive bouts over the years. His offense and persistence has kept him in the lineup. Last season Torres despite the Yankees offensive lows, the Yankees second baseman played in 158 games and hit 25 home runs, drove in 68 runs, and slashed .273/.347/.453. Can he have another standout season?

“I think he’s highly motivated,” Boone said. “I think we saw a more mature approach last year that lends itself to more consistency at the plate. Now it’s about putting it all together,” reported ESPN.

Hey, I am rooting for Gleyber. I appreciate his sentiment and good work ethic he demonstrates both on and off the field. But also, I am rooting for the Yankees to have a strong season. If he can contribute the way he did last year, stay healthy and be a leader in the clubhouse, the Yankees could give him his pay day. But again, remember there is Soto who has had a terrific start to his spring. Anything can happen.

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof