What a ‘highly motivated’ Gleyber Torres could mean for Yankees in 2024 and beyond
TAMPA, Florida: The manager of the Yankees, Aaron Boone, feels that the player with the most buzz on his roster is Gleyber Torres. It makes sense. In December, the Yankees acquired Juan Soto via a trade. Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Rizzo, Carlos Rodón, and Nestor Cortes have all been the subject of much offseason discussion over their prospective comebacks and what that would mean for the team in 2024.
“I don’t think it’s a disrespect thing, but I think there’s so many other things to talk about,” Boone said of Torres’ unknown situation. “I think he’s highly motivated.”
There’s a lot to talk about with Torres, starting with his contract status. The Yankees’ second baseman will enter the 2024 season without a long-term contract in place. Last month, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters that the team had not addressed a prospective contract extension with Torres, who may become a free agency next winter.
“He’s our second baseman for this year,” Cashman added. “I haven’t had any conversations about anything past that.”
Torres knows the business aspect of the game. Since joining the organization, he has witnessed firsthand how the franchise was burnt by handing out ill-fated extensions to Luis Severino and Aaron Hicks. Both players did not live up to their contracts, and the Yankees are still paying Hicks’ remaining money (he signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels this winter) after designating him for assignment last season. Torres did, however, observe how the Yankees and Aaron Judge were unable to negotiate an agreement before the slugger entered free agency. That choice helped Judge, who turned in one of the greatest walks.
Torres believes that another strong season for himself will finish in the same way as Judge’s did: with a contract that will keep him in pinstripes for the remainder of his career.
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