Yankees’ Big Gamble: Are They Brash Enough to Trade Their Sole Offensive Star Before the Next Season?

It’s likely that the New York Yankees will trade some big names this offseason. Their 82 game-stint this year is a clear indication that there’s a lot of work to be done. This offseason, New York has already declared that it will examine the organization closely and implement changes. The Yankees are in an unusual but bold spot right now with tenured players especially.?

Albeit New York?s talent and potential, 2023 witnessed some unstable plays due to injuries. With a large payroll already under their belt, the team will be busy this offseason trying to add more talent to the roster. But that comes at the cost of making some controversial trades. Their star second baseman is one such person who potentially will be seen stripped off pinstripes in 2024.?

An Impeccable Hitting Performance Mellowed Down By a Sub-par Defense

New York’s MLB insiders estimate a salary range of $15.3MM in the year 2024 for Gleyber Torres. That said, Gleyber has played with the Yanks for over more than five major league seasons. During this period, he has consistently produced amazing offensive results, earning him that high estimation of a price tag. In slightly more than 3000 at-bats, he has a career slugging percentage of.267/.334/.454 and has delivered above average performance the majority of the time. The right-handed batter’s season in 2023 particularly was quite impressive.?

Torres hit 273/.347/.453 in 672 plate appearances, including 25 home runs. He punched out just 14.6% of the time, the lowest percentage of his career while walking at a solid 10% clip. All these stats strengthen that he is irreplaceable as a hitter in the Bronx, given their current situation. But there?s a catch here. Torres? defense has not wowed the folks in the big leagues, which tones down the hype about him being a solid batter.?

The glove of the 26-year-old isn’t as trustworthy, though. Throughout his early career, the 2023 Silver Slugger award finalist performed below par at shortstop as a defender. At second base, he has earned mediocre but borderline grades in both outs above average and defensive runs saved. While it seems unlikely that Torres will leave the keystone cushion, the profile is carried by the bat. In spite of Torres’ anticipated salary exceeding $15 million, he is an attractive candidate, both to trade and not to trade.?

Normalizing the Trade of Tenured Players

If the Yankees choose to cut loose this above-average regular, he would become the best player in a middle infield class devoid of free agents. As players approach their final seasons of club control and face enormous projected salaries, it’s not uncommon for teams to explore trade scenarios for good but not exceptional players. Doesn?t that sound like a more plausible scenario??

Cutting loose veterans in the five-plus year service class is something that teams other than the Yanks have done too. During the previous offseason, the Minnesota Twins’ Gio Urshela, Milwaukee Brewers’ Hunter Renfroe, and Toronto Blue Jays’ Teoscar Hern?ndez all were recipients of similar moves. And these teams managed to make it to the playoffs. Even when players are playing exceptionally well, the Yankees are not afraid to trade them off.?

Risky Position for the Yanks in Aaron Judge?s Absence

With this trade for Gleyber, the Yanks could strengthen their pitching staff and outfield, among other weak areas. But it’s important to remember that Torres’ absence could destabilize their already tumultuous offense if Aaron Judge were to suffer another injury. What are their other options, though??

As per an article by Sports Illustrated this October, ?The Yankees could conceivably bring (Oswald) Peraza into camp as a rover at second base, third base, or shortstop, though a Torres trade remains on the table. Torres is arbitration eligible and would be looking at a raise over the $9.95 million he earned this past year; if Hal Steinbrenner is serious about having Volpe and Peraza as the future of the middle infield, as he?s said, then this might be the time to move Torres.? That’s hopeful, isn’t it? There are positives to the Venezuelan’s trade.

Would It Make Sense for the Yankees to Deal Gleyber Torres?

It would make sense for the Yankees since they could save money by dealing away the 2x All-Star, and they have young, affordable depth in the infield. Despite the fact that in 2023 he was among the league’s best offensive second basemen, a move might be wise. Considering this, the Yankees could put the money to better use.

It’s not to be forgotten that there are many amends to be made otherwise. Looking outside New York, there are some prominent names that have drawn connections to the Bronx. Well, having said all that, there is no risk for Torres, given the Boston Red Sox’s interest in onboarding him.?

Read More: Yankees Gear Up for 2024 Season After Horrendous Year, But Could Letting This Star Go Spell Another Big Mistake?

Keeping aside the possibility of the Red Sox’s intervention here, some other Star outfielders like Juan Soto and Cody Bellinger have been linked to New York. Either of the two would be a significant upgrade for the team. Also connected to the team is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Japanese star player for the Orix Buffaloes.

Seeing the possibility of these big names projects a prosperous future for the NYY in 2024. It wouldn’t be all that shocking to see Torres traded at this point in the near future.

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