Gleyber Torres appeared to be in his final weeks with the New York Yankees as the summer began to wind down.
The second baseman was in the midst of a disappointing 2024 season. He had produced a .236/.309/.349 batting line in his 481 plate appearances through Aug. 14, hitting 10 homers and 18 doubles. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic projected that the Yankees would move on from Torres during the offseason due to his faltering offense. The Yankees’ acquisition of Jazz Chisholm ahead of the 2024 trade deadline only added to the speculation that Torres would depart after the season.
Torres’ season completely changed on Aug. 16, though, when manager Aaron Boone made Torres his leadoff hitter, a move that proved to be brilliant. Torres produced a .313/.386/.454 batting line in his 184 plate appearances through to the end of the regular season, hitting five homers and eight doubles. He became an on-base machine, providing plenty of RBI opportunities for outfielders Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
His impressive run has continued into the postseason. Torres has continued to set the table for the Yankees, posting a .297/.400/.432 batting line in his 45 playoff plate appearances thus far, hitting one homer and two doubles. He has been an underrated part of the Yankees’ run to the World Series.
Torres’ run also puts the Yankees in a difficult spot looking ahead to the offseason. While Chisholm would be a perfect option to slide to the keystone, he solidified third base in the wake of DJ LeMahieu’s struggles. Soto will be the Yankees’ top priority this offseason, but Torres’ projected three-year, $21 million contract does not figure to be an impediment. His time with the Yankees may not be over yet.
Gleyber Torres has been one of the Yankees’ best hitters over the past two months. He may have played his way back into their long term plans as a result.
