One of the Detroit Tigers’ biggest offseason acquisitions, Gleyber Torres, is ready to embrace his new team and leave the past behind.
As the Tigers aim to build on last season’s late playoff push, Torres is expected to be a key part of their infield – and he’s making it clear that his focus is on Detroit, not his former team.
After spending the last six seasons with the New York Yankees, Torres found himself in the middle of unexpected offseason drama.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman recently claimed that Torres was unwilling to shift to third base after the team acquired Jazz Chisholm.
When asked about the comments, Torres kept his response short and steered the conversation toward his future with the Tigers.
“To be honest, I don’t know what’s going on there,” Torres said. “I believed everything was good, but (now) I think no. So I don’t want to give any comments.
“Whatever they have, they have. I’m just focusing on my goals this year, how to get better and help my team.”
Entering his eighth MLB season, Torres had multiple options in free agency. But it was the Tigers’ clubhouse culture and youthful energy that ultimately drew him to Detroit.
“I always bet on myself,” Torres said. “In this process, I tried to find the right place to play one year. I got a few opportunities with other teams, but the young team in Detroit, the group looks like a family.”
The move to Detroit also brings an unexpected perk – freedom from the Yankees’ strict facial hair policy.
“My wife really liked it,” Torres said of his new beard. “My family really liked it. First time I’ve done my beard, and I’m really happy to play with it.”
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch sees plenty of potential in Torres but knows there’s work to be done.
Improving his defense will be a major point of emphasis, and Hinch believes Torres has the tools to elevate his game.
“Gleyber can be a good defensive player, and he will be,” Hinch said. “I think his work with Joey, partly in this offseason and into this spring, is going to be front and center.
“We feel like he can get to his athleticism a little bit better. He obviously needs to get better going to his left, if you look at the defensive evaluation of him.
“Playing a premium position up the middle, it’s going to be important for him to stay focused on the little, incremental things he can do to be an effective defender.”
Torres is eager to make an impact with his new club and is embracing the opportunity to grow.
“Hyped. Excited,” Torres said of the clean slate in Detroit. “I think this is gonna be the year I have to get better. I’m a player who wants to be better every time. I got a beautiful opportunity here.”
Now, of course Yankee fans are rolling their eyes at Torres pleading ignorance over why things fell apart in the Bronx.
If there’s one thing New Yorkers despise the most its lack-of-hustle and lack-of-effort.
Unfortunately, Torres’ effort and attitude during the course of his Bombers career made Anthony Rendon look like Pete Rose…
What are your thoughts on Torres’ comments and his Yankees tenure as a whole???
