Gleyber Torres, the talented infielder, has officially joined the Detroit Tigers on a one-year contract worth $15 million, as announced by the team on Friday. The 28-year-old veteran spent the past seven seasons with the New York Yankees, making his mark after being traded from the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Throughout his career, he has maintained a solid .774 OPS while proving his versatility by playing both shortstop and second base.
The Tigers’ president of baseball operations, Scott Harris, indicated that Torres is expected to take on the role of second baseman in Detroit. This change allows Colt Keith, who struggled defensively with 12 errors at second last season, to transition to first base.
During his time with the Yankees, Torres was the starting shortstop from 2020 to 2021 but returned to second base after a challenging defensive season that saw him commit 18 errors. Despite experiencing a downturn in slugging percentage last season, registering a .378 mark, Torres showcased his potential with a total of 49 home runs over the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined. His impressive performance in the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians, where he hit .364, was a highlight as the Yankees pushed towards the World Series.
The Tigers are strategically adjusting their roster as they continue to develop their prospects, allowing for greater flexibility in the lineup. In addition to Torres, the team also signed pitcher Alex Cobb to a one-year, $15 million deal this offseason, maintaining just one significant contract with shortstop Javier Baez set to extend beyond the 2025 season.
As a part of this roster adjustment, the Tigers have designated left-hander Bailey Horn for assignment.
In this new chapter with the Tigers, Gleyber Torres aims to revitalize his performance and contribute significantly to the team’s success, bringing hope and enthusiasm to Detroit fans.