Gleyber Torres wants to be 'a Yankee for life', but does he have a future in the Bronx?

TAMPA, Fla. – Often the subject of trade conversations, Gleyber Torres has persisted in pinstripes.

He’s lasted through that rough patch, when the Yankees stubbornly fixed him as their regular shortstop, which didn’t help Torres or the club.

And he became a more consistent hitter last season, posting an .800 OPS in 158 games, with fewer strikeouts than any year outside of the 2020 pandemic season.

“I don’t want to leave here. I feel at home right now,’’ said Torres, about to begin his free-agent walk year. “I want to be a Yankee for life.’’

Torres, though, isn't banking on an extension.

“It’s also a business. I understand,’’ said Torres, on a quiet Wednesday morning at Yankees camp. “They may be waiting for after the season and have a really good conversation.’’

Gleyber Torres' uncertain future with Yankees

Torres wasn’t much moved by Brian Cashman’s lukewarm take on his future beyond 2024.

“He’s our second baseman for this year,’’ said the GM, adding that no conversations about an extension had yet taken place.

Torres’ side won’t initiate those talks, and he’s not expecting the Yankees to engage first, and “I don’t blame the organization.’’

He’s seen the Yankees get burned on long-term extensions with Aaron Hicks and Luis Severino, prior to becoming free agents.

Torres will earn $14.2 million in 2024, and Oswald Peraza or Jorbit Vivas are viable and far less expensive second base options in 2025.

Plus, the Yankees are hoping to keep Juan Soto in pinstripes for the long term – a payroll expenditure that might conflict with the idea of making Torres at $20-plus million-a-year Yankee.

'Something special' can happen this season

So, Torres seems content with keeping his focus on the present.

“I feel like we have everything to do something special this year,’’ said Torres, with the addition of lefty hitters Soto and Alex Verdugo making it the most-balanced Yankee lineup in years.

Like Torres, Soto and Verdugo are also in their free agent walk years, and the Yankees hold an option on Anthony Rizzo for next season, adding to the sense of urgency for this group.

Torres just turned 27 in December, and he’s already been traded once – as a top Cubs prospect, in the 2016 trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to Chicago.

“Every year is something with trade rumors. It is what it is,’’ said Torres, though the possibility of a deal seemed greater during the last two years than this winter, due to his impending free agency and the Yankees’ current lineup design.

Aaron Boone's take on Gleyber Torres

Entering camp, manager Aaron Boone gave Torres good marks for everything but his new mustache.

“I love where his mindset is right now. I think he's highly motivated,'' said Boone, adding that "now it's about putting it all together. He can play better at second base,'' with the skills "to be a great defender.''

In some ways, Boone felt Torres outperformed his 2023 stats, batting .273 with 25 homers, 68 RBI and a 118 OPS-plus.

On a club with more firepower than last year, "I see him somewhere in the middle of the lineup,'' Boone said of batting Torres anywhere from No. 4 to No. 6.

“(He’s) not only a guy now with a lot experience, and in the prime of his career and really talented, and (understands) all that we’re playing for as a team, but obviously (being) in a walk year will be even more motivation as well.’’

'Maybe this is going to be my last year' in Bronx

As promised, Torres shaved before the Yankees’ photo day, so he wouldn’t have to see himself each night on the video board, in the event he changes his mind.

“Maybe during the season I’ll let it grow,’’ said Torres with a smile.

Speaking more solemnly, Torres talked about wanting to prove himself this season.

“I can’t lie, I just think sometimes, maybe this is going to be my last year here,’’ said Torres. “I don’t know what the business plan is here,’’ but as he acknowledges, “it’s a business.’’

Once the season begins, any remote possibility of an extension for Torres will have passed. He’ll be fully focused on the season and life at home with his wife and their 2-year-old son.

“I’m in a good spot. I know it’s a free-agent year,’’ said Torres. “(I’ll) just think about how I can be better and help the team. And we’ll see what happens in the future.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Gleyber Torres enters what could be his final Yankees season in 2024