The 2024 Major League Baseball offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one for many teams, as rosters undergo significant adjustments, free agents explore new destinations, and general managers look for ways to get the best value for their money. Among the most intriguing storylines this year is the potential movement of New York Yankees’ everyday starter, who is predicted to “sign for cheap” with the San Diego Padres.
This prediction has been making the rounds in various sports media circles, leaving many to wonder: who is this player, and why would a regular starter from one of the most high-profile franchises in baseball potentially sign with the Padres on a budget-friendly deal?
### The Player in Question
While it is still speculative, early reports indicate that the Yankees’ starter in question could be **Gleyber Torres**, the team’s second baseman, whose future with the Yankees is now clouded by a combination of roster decisions and free-agent market realities.
Torres, 26, has been with the Yankees since 2016 and has shown flashes of brilliance over his career. His 2018 season, in which he hit 24 home runs and drove in 77 RBIs, set the stage for what seemed like a long and fruitful career in the Bronx. However, the last few seasons have been marked by inconsistencies, and Torres has faced his share of struggles with batting average and on-base percentage.
Despite these fluctuations, he remains a productive hitter with significant pop in his bat. He posted 24 home runs and 76 RBIs in 2023, alongside an OPS of .762. Given his age, Torres still has a lot of potential, and a change of scenery could give him the fresh start he needs to return to his peak form.
### Why the Yankees Might Let Torres Go
The Yankees are undergoing a period of introspection and restructuring, which often involves tough decisions about which players to keep and which to move. Torres, despite being a steady contributor, may not fit into the Yankees’ long-term plans. Here are a few key reasons why the Yankees might let Torres go:
1. **Financial Constraints**: The Yankees are a team with significant financial obligations, including high contracts for stars like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. With rising payroll costs and a new collective bargaining agreement pushing for increased penalties on spending, the Yankees might decide to part with players like Torres to open up salary flexibility.
2. **Surplus of Infield Talent**: The Yankees have several promising young players in the infield, including shortstop Anthony Volpe, who had a solid rookie season in 2023. They also have DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza, both of whom can play multiple infield positions. Torres’ spot could be more valuable as a trade asset to bolster other areas of the team, like pitching or outfield depth.
3. **Defensive Concerns**: While Torres has been solid offensively, his defense at second base has been inconsistent. Advanced metrics have shown that he struggles at times with range and errors. The Yankees might decide that a more defensively reliable option could better complement their overall roster.
4. **The Market for Torres**: Despite the aforementioned issues, Gleyber Torres’ offensive numbers are still relatively solid, and there’s potential for a team with fewer financial constraints to take a risk on his bat. This creates a situation where the Yankees could choose to move Torres at a lower price, benefiting from the trade value without committing further resources to him.
### Why the Padres Are a Good Fit
The San Diego Padres have been an intriguing team in recent years, combining star power with a desire to contend for a championship. The Padres have a strong roster with names like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Juan Soto, but they’ve struggled with consistency. One area of concern for the Padres is their infield, which is still a bit unsettled at times. While Ha-Seong Kim has proven to be a capable player at second base, the Padres could use additional depth, particularly on the offensive side.
Gleyber Torres, with his proven power and run-producing potential, could be the answer the Padres are looking for. Here’s why the fit makes sense:
1. **Offensive Boost**: While the Padres boast an impressive lineup, adding another power-hitting infielder like Torres could provide a much-needed boost. His ability to hit for power and drive in runs would complement Tatis, Soto, and Machado in the middle of the order.
2. **Financial Flexibility**: After a somewhat disappointing 2023 season, the Padres will need to be savvy in how they allocate their resources. Signing a player like Torres on a relatively cheap deal could be a way to add a quality starter without breaking the bank. This would allow them to address other pressing needs, such as pitching, without overextending their payroll.
3. **Change of Scenery for Torres**: San Diego could offer Gleyber Torres a fresh start. The Yankees’ media environment and the pressures of playing in the Bronx could have taken a toll on Torres’ performance, and a move to the Padres might give him the space to reset and flourish in a more relaxed atmosphere.
4. **Infield Depth**: With Kim’s versatility and other infielders on the roster, Torres could fit in seamlessly, whether at second base or as a depth option at other positions. The Padres have shown a willingness to rotate players in and out of different positions, which would work well for a player like Torres, who has the ability to play multiple spots.
### Signing for Cheap: What Does It Mean?
The term “sign for cheap” might seem contradictory when referring to a former Yankees starter, but it’s important to consider the broader context of today’s free-agent market. The MLB market has been increasingly favorable to teams that are willing to take calculated risks, particularly on players with upside but uncertain futures. The rise of analytics and advanced scouting has led teams to prioritize younger players with potential, even if their recent performance hasn’t matched expectations.
For Torres, this could mean a deal worth less than what he might have commanded in years past. His inconsistencies at the plate, combined with questions about his defense, have likely driven down his market value. However, a team like the Padres might see this as an opportunity to take a chance on a player with significant upside.
In this scenario, Torres could be signed to a short-term, team-friendly contract, with incentives based on performance. Such a deal would allow the Padres to benefit from Torres’ potential at a relatively low cost, while still maintaining the flexibility to make other moves.
### Final Thoughts
Gleyber Torres leaving the Yankees to sign with the Padres on a cheap deal is certainly an intriguing prospect, one that could benefit both sides. For the Padres, it represents a chance to add depth and offensive firepower without committing major resources. For Torres, it could be an opportunity to rediscover his form and re-establish his value as a top-tier MLB player.
While much remains speculative at this stage, the potential for this move highlights the evolving nature of baseball’s free-agent market, where both teams and players are finding new ways to create value in an increasingly competitive and financially-conscious landscape. If Torres does indeed sign with the Padres on a bargain contract, it could be a win for both sides, as the Padres gain an under-the-radar contributor while Torres gets the chance to prove himself in a new environment.