Should he stay or should he go? And if he stays, where does he play?
That’s what the New York Yankees have to decide about Gleyber Torres.
The two-time All-Star struggled both offensively and defensively this season at shortstop. So it’s no coincidence Torres’ bat showed signs of life after moving back to second base in mid-September.
Now the Yankees have to decide where the 24-year-old Torres fits on the roster for next season. Sure, the Yankees can keep him at second base. But where does that leave DJ LeMahieu? Yes, LeMahieu can play first base, but New York also has Luke Voit at first and might consider re-signing Anthony Rizzo.
Given the infield logjam, it’s also possible general manager Brian Cashman floats Torres’ name in trade talks during the offseason.
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SNY’s Anthony McCarron talked to a pair of MLB scouts, who advocated for the Yankees keeping Torres at second base.
Scout No. 1: “He’s too talented and too young not to rebound. I think he will.”
Scout No. 2: “I think he was thinking about those errors at shortstop. Then he was hurt and I think it all contributed to it. I think he was reading the newspapers. You start trying to hit three home runs in one at-bat, try to do too much. ... Torres’ best position is second base. You can see it -- he looks more comfortable there. His offense won’t rebound at shortstop.”
Torres, who his .259 with nine home runs in 127 games this year, is eligible for arbitration this winter. MLB Trade Rumors projects Torres’ 2022 arbitration salary at $5.9 million; He made $4 million in 2021. According to Spotrac, Torres is eligible for free agency following the 2024 season.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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