Gleyber Torres is back to being an All-Star caliber player. He just might not be back with the New York Yankees.
The 25-year-old hit 24 home runs last season, flashing the power which made him a two-time All-Star. And the rest of MLB has taken notice, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
The Yankees are getting calls on second baseman Gleyber Torres, but it’s doubtful they’ll move him, at least not until (Anthony) Volpe is ready, with the plan to eventually shift (Oswald) Peraza to second base.
BUY MLB TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER, TICKETMASTER
The development of Volpe and Peraza, the Yankees’ top middle-infield prospects, gives general manager Brian Cashman flexibility to listen to offers for Torres. Especially with Torres eligible for arbitration this winter. Torres made $6.25 million in 2022, and is projected to get a bump to $9.8 million for next year. And it comes at a time the Yankees need every possible dollar to re-sign Aaron Judge.
If Volpe and/or Peraza are ready for the big leagues, they provide cheaper options for the Yankees while at the same time giving Cashman a valuable trade chip. And that’s important, based on what the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported 10 days ago:
I would expect Pablo Lopez and Trevor Rogers to be in play. The sense here is the Marlins might be more open to dealing Rogers, who has attracted interest. Lopez, who is under team control for two more years, is very close with Marlins ace and Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.
That echoes what the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported earlier this month: “Biggest name (heard) available in trade so far is Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez. Fish need hitters! Came close to dealing him to Yankees at deadline in a Gleyber Torres deal.”
If Lopez’s name sounds familiar, there’s a good reason why. In August, Heyman reported on a potential Lopez deal: “The Yankees looked into Marlins righty Pablo Lopez, but were asked about Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza or Gleyber Torres.”
Want to bet on MLB?
See the best NJ Sports Betting sites
In addition, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported “The Marlins were asking for Gleyber Torres plus more for Lopez. It was too rich.”
It’s not inconceivable that Cashman would have talked trade with Kim Ng, his former front-office protege who now runs the Marlins.
It’s also not impossible to believe Cashman would have Lopez on his radar. The 26-year-old right-hander set career highs in wins (10) and starts (32) in 2022, while posting a respectable 3.75 ERA. Plus Lopez, a five-year MLB veteran, is under team control for two more seasons, according to Spotrac.
So if Jackson is right the Marlins are shopping Lopez, and if Bowden is right the Yankees are getting calls on Torres, it’s very possible there will be a new second baseman and new starting pitcher in the Bronx next season.
MORE MLB:
– Pirates’ All-Star profiles as possible Yankees trade target
– A’s are high on ex-Yankees prospects from Frankie Montas trade
– Yankees pursued a 3-team deal with Phillies, Mariners before trade deadline
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected].