Gleyber Torres remained in touch with the Yankees after the World Series, but it was clear to him that the team had little interest in continuing the relationship.
So the fact that the Yankees did not present Torres with a free agent offer until Torres recently agreed to a one-year deal worth $15 million with the Tigers was no surprise to the 28-year-old infielder. .
“I think [the Yankees] They have all their priorities and I wasn't on the list,” Torres said on a Zoom call with reporters Saturday.
Torres said his focus shifted beyond the Yankees when he started hearing from other teams immediately after the World Series. Last season, he posted the second-lowest OPS of his career at .709 while playing below-average defense at second base, but was in the 15th percentile in MLB with -4 outs above average. According to Statcast.
Torres' impressive numbers led him to pursue a one-year contract that will allow him to try free agency again next offseason.
“The season I had, we started off slow in the first half,” Torres said. “Everything got better in the second half, but the numbers were still not right to be a free agent, especially considering my age. I just told my agent to look for a one-year contract. I believe in it. I was just in this process trying to find the right place to play for a year because I was betting on myself.”
The Nationals and Angels were also among the teams Torres said he received offers from.
He will join a Tigers team that culminated in a wild-card berth in the American League late last season.
“I have to play somewhere where someone is going to give me the best,” Torres said. “I have great friends there. [with the Yankees]great communication throughout the organization, and I'm proud to have been with the Yankees for seven years. ”
It's been an active offseason for the Yankees, but question marks remain in the team's infield.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. could play second or third base, and Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswaldo Peraza and DJ LeMahieu could play other positions unless another infielder is acquired via trade or free agency. Gender remains.
The Yankees watched Juan Soto go to the Mets on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract, but before signing Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year deal worth $12.5 million, Cody Bellinger He spent little time reorganizing his batting lineup with the trade.
The team also strengthened its pitching staff by signing Max Fried to an eight-year contract worth $218 million and trading All-Star closer Devin Williams.
Torres was traded to the Yankees in 2016, and Aroldis Chapman was traded to the Cubs.
With the Tigers, he will team up with Javier Báez, who he knew from his time with the Cubs.
Báez, who spent part of 2021 with the Mets, has been a major disappointment in the last three seasons since signing a six-year contract worth $140 million with the Tigers.
“I know he's had his ups and downs throughout his career, but next year he has a chance to be great again,” Torres said.
