Gleyber Torres has stated that he wants to re-sign with the New York Yankees next season, but does the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade show the front office isn’t planning on bringing him back?
Gleyber Torres Facing Uncertain Future with Yankees
Changing of the Guard?
On Saturday afternoon, Brian Cashman decided to pull the trigger and made the Yankees’ biggest move of trade deadline season, bringing in OF/2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league catcher Agustín Ramírez, infielder Jared Serna and infielder Abrahan Ramírez.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 27, 2024
Chisholm Jr. was one of the biggest names on the trading block this year, and it’s not crazy to see why. The former All-Star is a leadoff hitter who’s getting on base at a .323 clip and has the defensive versatility to play infield and outfield. Oh, and he is under team control through 2026. The trade sparks some immediate life in their lineup, but this move could equally be about setting up the future.
It’s no secret that second baseman Gleyber Torres is about to be a free agent after this season. He’s been a staple for the team and has stated that he wants to be, “a Yankee for life.” However, this trade acquisition may throw a wrench in the plans for a potential future together.
The Problem
Don’t get it wrong, Torres has certainly had his moments over his seven-year career in New York. When the former top prospect was traded to the Bronx in 2016, he was deemed to be the franchise’s future, and early on, it looked like the claims were validated. In his first two seasons, he was a two-time All-Star who got ROY and MVP votes and produced a 38-homer campaign. The last five have not been as dominant, but they’ve still been serviceable as he’s gotten an 8.5 WAR over that span. At only 27, he can still bounce back, but signing him to a multi-year deal based on hope and nostalgia might be too big a risk for the Yankees.
Enter Jazz Chisholm Jr., a player who fills an immediate and future need. Immediately, he can replace Trent Grisham from his outfield duties and provide a spark at the top of the order. But the outfield might not be where the Yankees see him playing past this season. At the beginning of his career, Chisholm Jr. was a second baseman and could be returning to that role if Torres doesn’t return next season. Making this trade all but signifies they’ll give Chisholm that chance rather than tie up more sizable money on a player like Torres.
Gleyber Torres’ Yankees Future
So now we are here. It appears the organization is ready to move on from Torres and will give Chisholm Jr. a shot at the keystone over the next two and a half years. It’s sad to see such a long-tenured Yankee go, but it’s really understandable.
When you account for how much money it’ll take to extend Juan Soto this offseason, a contract that surely will cost $400M+, and having to already pay Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodón‘s mega contracts, there just isn’t enough money to go around for a Torres multi-year deal. Instead, it seems the team chooses a more controllable future and that Gleyber’s time in the Bronx is near an end.
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