Earlier than signing a one-year, $15-million contract with the Detroit Tigers over the vacations, second baseman Gleyber Torres obtained curiosity from a number of golf equipment, together with the Toronto Blue Jays, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press experiences.
The San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians additionally inquired in regards to the former New York Yankees infielder, per Petzold. Along with that trio, the Boston Pink Sox additionally displayed curiosity within the 28-year-old earlier this low season, in accordance with the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.
Torres, whose contract features a $500,000 task bonus if he’s traded in 2025, would’ve inserted some much-needed energy into Toronto’s lineup. Whereas first-half woes hindered his general outcomes final season, the right-handed-hitting infielder completed with an encouraging .298/.365/.421 slash line and 126 wRC+ over his last 74 video games with the Bronx Bombers.
Moreover, the native of Venezuela hit 24 residence runs in 2022, adopted by 25 throughout the next season, posting at the very least a .450 slugging share in every of these campaigns.
Signing Torres, in fact, would’ve been a way more awkward match following the Blue Jays’ acquisition of fellow second baseman Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians. Given the membership’s wants at different positions, like within the outfield and at DH, administration had in all probability already shifted its focus elsewhere earlier than the two-time All-Star signed in Detroit.
Toronto’s entrance workplace was additionally possible extra inquisitive about securing a controllable participant reminiscent of Giménez, who’s signed by 2029, reasonably than signing Torres — somebody who strictly most popular a one-year, prove-it deal, as Petzold wrote.
If the previous Yankee enjoys a powerful efficiency in Motown, he ought to have the ability to parlay it right into a profitable contract that might high $100 million subsequent low season, as he’d possible be the highest obtainable second baseman for a second straight winter.
With shortstop Bo Bichette additionally slated to hit free company after subsequent season, maybe the Blue Jays would have curiosity in Torres once more, contemplating Giménez may transfer to quick, liberating up second base.
