While the 2023 season exposed the New York Yankees’ shortcomings, a few players managed to stand out. Gerrit Cole won his career-maiden CY Young for his exceptional number in the American League. Aaron Judge, despite missing a couple of months due to multiple injury concerns, topped the Yanks’ hitting charts.
Besides these two stalwarts, infielder Gleyber Torres surprised the league with his newly discovered form. Despite being in trade rumors, Torres didn’t let the outside noise affect his on-field performance and ended up being the second-best Yankee hitter for the season. However, it looks like the 2023 season breakout performance won’t be enough to safeguard his future in the Bronx.
Gleyber Torres To Enter Walk Year With Extension Offer In Hand!
Infielder Gleyber Torres joined forces with the New York Yankees back in 2016 as a rookie and debuted in major league two years later in 2018. Since then, Torres has not looked back and adhered to the privilege of wearing the pinstripes. He won his career-maiden All-Star appearance in his rookie season itself and followed it with another all-star worth performance a year later in 2019. Over the course of six seasons in the Bronx, the infielder has hit .267 with 123 home runs, 378 RBIs, and .789 OPS. Needless to say, the numbers are decent enough to safeguard a player’s stay in a particular team. However, New York sports do not function that way.
While Torres scaled new heights with his bat in 2023, his defensive lapses cost the team multiple tight games. Moreover, the second baseman has been in trade rumors for the past two seasons. While he survived the scare in 2023, Gleyber Torres is entering his walk year in 2024. Moreover, The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty confirmed that Yanks have yet to initiate extension talk with the baseman’s agents. A major roadblock is perhaps the financial implications. Owing to his 2023 season fireworks, the infielder’s market rate has soared to $15 million AAV. Thus, the MLB insiders predict that while Torres will start the season as a Yankee, he certainly won’t end as one. Kirschner and Kuty expect the Yanks to trade Torres before the mid-season deadline approaches. While Torres sees the Bronx as his home, the brutal side of baseball uncertainties will oust him from his home.
Yankees Add Infield Depth In Fresh Off-Season Move!
With pitching depth in shambles, the New York Yankees continue to bolster overflowing infield depth. In the latest off-season move, the front office agreed to a major contract contract with ex-Blue Jays infielder Kevin Smith. Kevin confirmed the same by sharing a throwback picture of him wearing a Yankee sweatshirt.
The New York native spent parts of three major league seasons with Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics. Kevin Smith hit 185 with five homers, four doubles, and 11 RBIs across 43 appearances for Athletics in 2023. However, his minor league numbers are staggering. In 222 Triple-A games across three seasons, Smith hit .286 with 50 homers, 51 doubles, and 164 RBIs. While he is a regular third baseman, the infielder can also play shortstop.
