As the New York Yankees try to re-shape their offense and lineup, Gleyber Torres‘ name has surfaced in trade rumors.
In fact, the infielder was reportedly the centerpiece of a deadline deal with the Miami Marlins in exchange for pitcher Pablo Lopez, but in the end, the trade did not happen.
It is believed that, in the days leading up to the deadline and for a portion of the offseason, the Bombers discussed Torres’ name in hypothetical trades.
The Yankees, at this point, might be better off keeping the second baseman.
Preseason projection systems actually like what he has to offer and what he could bring to the table.
Steamer is one of them.
Gleyber Torres’ steamer projections and where he ranks among other second baseman:
3.4 WAR (6th)
.262 AVG
.327 OBP
.443 SLG (7th)
.771 OPS (9th)
120 wRC+ (7th)It just shows the Yankees shouldn’t trade him off for scraps. pic.twitter.com/oweE9ybuQa
— Joe Randazzo (@Yankeelibrarian) December 29, 2022
That’s an optimistic projection of Torres, but it actually isn’t too far off the reality.
That’s the type of hitter Torres is at this point: he has a nice average floor with 20-homer power and the ability to post between 115 and 120 wRC+.
He is also very good defensively at second base, miles better than the level he showed at shortstop.
With some decent speed, too, Torres makes for a fine starting second baseman.
He is probably not a star, but there is no question he can be a good regular.
The Yankees’ problems are at third base, shortstop, and left field.
They could have internal solutions for each one of them, but the landscape is currently murky.
Second base, however, should be Torres’ to lose.
DJ LeMahieu could play third instead of Josh Donaldson, Oswaldo Cabrera could be the starting left fielder in lieu of Aaron Hicks, and Oswald Peraza (or Anthony Volpe) could take over at shortstop instead of Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
NEXT: Yankees Fans Celebrate A Special Anniversary