TAMPA, Fla. — Beginning what might be his ultimate season with the New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres was clear about his intent.
“I do not wish to go away,” the 27-year-old infielder mentioned Wednesday. “I wish to be a Yankee for all times.”
Torres was an All-Star in his first two seasons with the Yankees in 2018 and 2019, slumped badly for 2 years, and has rebounded to turn out to be a productive if not spectacular participant. He hit .273 with 25 residence runs, 68 RBIs and 13 stolen bases final season with an .800 OPS.
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Torres has a one-year, $14.2 million contract and is eligible free of charge company after the World Sequence. There haven’t been any discussions a few long-term deal, and he understands why the workforce is likely to be reluctant after two notable gamers who underperformed: Luis Severino and Aaron Hicks.
Severino reached a deal in February 2019 that paid him $52.25 million for 5 seasons, then made simply 40 begins and 5 aid appearances whereas going 13-12 with a 4.47 ERA. Hicks agreed that very same month to a seven-year, $70 million contract for 2019 to 2025, then had repeated accidents and hit .218 with 31 residence runs and 145 RBIs in 303 video games earlier than he was launched in Might.
“We all know what’s occurred up to now, and I do not blame them. That is the enterprise,” Torres mentioned. “So if I [have] a very good yr and put [up] actually good numbers, I believe we will get a dialog, for positive.”
Torres would not dwell on the uncertainty, busy with on-field work throughout the day and spending time with son Ethan, who turns 2 subsequent month.
“I am unable to lie,” Torres mentioned. “I simply suppose typically possibly that I am beginning my final yr right here as a result of I do not know what is the marketing strategy subsequent yr. However, man, it is identical to, encourage myself. Like I at all times say, we play for one more workforce typically, and it is a enterprise.”
Torres is aware of this can be a key yr for the Yankees due to the variety of gamers who can turn out to be free brokers; he’s joined by outfielders Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, reliever Clay Holmes, and right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga.
Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone referred to as looming free company a “fairly huge carrot on the market” for Torres.
“I believe he is extremely motivated,” Boone mentioned. “I believe we noticed a extra mature method final yr that lends itself to extra consistency on the plate. Now it is about placing all of it collectively.”
Torres would not wish to negotiate throughout the season however hopes the Yankees will contemplate a long-term deal in some unspecified time in the future. He cited Aaron Choose, who turned a free agent after his record-setting 2022 season and agreed to a nine-year, $360 million deal.
Obtained within the 2016 commerce with the Chicago Cubs for nearer Aroldis Chapman, Torres has a .267 profession common with 123 residence runs, 378 RBIs and 49 steals.
He was among the many gamers who arrived early Wednesday and have been of their pinstriped residence uniforms for photograph day, a reminder of the Yankees custom Torres needs to stay part of. Torres has heard repeated speak of a doable departure however has gotten used to it.
“Yearly is one thing, commerce rumors and issues like that,” he mentioned.