BREAKING: Gleyber Torres Claps Back at Yankees’ Brian Cashman – Did He Really Refuse to Switch Positions? ️

The New York Yankees’ World Series loss was heavily influenced by their subpar defense, with Gleyber Torres being a notable weak link. According to Baseball Savant, Torres ranked 31st in outs above average among second basemen last season. When the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr., general manager Brian Cashman asked Torres to switch positions to third base. After Cashman publicly discussed this last week, Torres responded on social media with a since-deleted post: “Still? just turn ️,” per the New York Post. While Torres didn’t deny the Yankees’ request, he essentially told Cashman to move on from the drama and focus on his current team. Ironically, Cashman has yet to address the infield gap left by Torres, though manager Aaron Boone confirmed Chisholm will start at second base in Spring Training.

Torres, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers after seven seasons in New York, is looking to rebuild his value after a disappointing year both offensively and defensively. Reports suggest other teams also asked him to change positions, but Torres insisted he’s a second baseman. Once a highly touted prospect acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade, Torres was initially seen as the Yankees’ long-term solution to replacing Derek Jeter at shortstop. However, after struggling at shortstop in 2020, he returned to second base, where his performance remained inconsistent.

While Torres improved as the Yankees’ leadoff hitter late in the season—posting a .292 average with seven homers and 28 RBIs after the All-Star break—his overall numbers (.231 average, eight home runs, 35 RBIs before the break) were underwhelming. The Tigers are banking on his second-half resurgence being repeatable.

Defensively, the Yankees struggled on the right side of the field, with Torres, a rotating cast at first base, and Juan Soto failing to prioritize defense. With Paul Goldschmidt at first, Aaron Judge in right field, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second, the Yankees hope to shore up their defense in 2025. However, Torres’ departure leaves questions about how the team will address its remaining infield needs.