“The season I had, I started slow in the first half,” Torres said. “Everything was better in the second half, but still the numbers I had were not right for going into free agency, especially with my age. I was just telling my agents to look for a one-year deal. I always believe in myself. I bet on myself, so just in this process I was trying to find the right place to play for one year.”
The Nationals and Angels were among the other teams from which Torres said he received offers.
Gleyber Torres struggled defensively in 2024.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
He will now join a Tigers team that crystalized in the second half last season to secure an American League wild-card berth.
“I have to play where somebody wants to give the best for me,” Torres said. “I have great friends there [with the Yankees], great communication with the entire organization and I feel proud of myself for being with the Yankees for seven years.”
It’s been an active offseason for the Yankees, but the team still has a question mark in the infield.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. could play second or third base, with Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu remaining as possibilities to play the other position if another infielder isn’t acquired through a trade or free agency.
The Yankees watched Juan Soto jump to the Mets on a record contract worth $765 million over 15 years, but wasted little time retooling the lineup by trading for Cody Bellinger before signing Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year contract worth $12.5 million.
The team also bolstered the pitching staff by signing Max Fried to an eight-year contract worth $218 million before trading for All-Star closer Devin Williams.
Torres arrived to the Yankees in a 2016 trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs.
Gleyber Torres will be joining a Tigers team that made the ALDS in 2024.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
With the Tigers, he will be united with Javier Baez, whom he knows from the Cubs organization.
Baez, who spent part of 2021 with the Mets, has been a major disappointment in his three seasons since signing a six-year contract worth $140 million with the Tigers.
“I know his entire career has been highs and lows, but next year is another opportunity to be great,” Torres said.
