Can the Yankees trust Gleyber Torres to hold down the shortstop position?

New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres
Sep 23, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

When the Yankees elected to reject Didi Gregorius’ qualifying offer this offseason and let him test free agency, the message was quite clear. They’re ready to inject the youthful Gleyber Torres into the shortstop position without hesitancy, despite his defensive inconsistencies.

Immediately after Gregorius signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, he advocated for Torres, but also expressed his worry that GM Brian Cashman wasn’t going to focus on retaining him:

“So this is the thing. I already knew this was going to happen way before and nobody believed me. So I told Gleyber, ‘Just get ready to play (shortstop) every day. I think things are going to go this way for sure.’”

Gregorius continued to speak with a hint of resentment in his voice, especially towards Cashman:

“Cashman made it loud and clear that Cole was their priority. I think he only called once. That was it. Nothing else happened. If that happens, I have to look for a place to play. I was in contact with the Phillies. Everything was good and now I’m here.”

These comments weren’t meant to damage any reputations, as Gregorius proceeded to say that he feels no bad blood with the Yankees’ aggressive general manager. This reality forces Torres into a potentially uncomfortable situation, considering his inefficiency at shortstop.

Over 77 games in 2019, Torres logged a .961 fielding percentage with 11 errors. By no means are these numbers impressive or noteworthy, but you have to start somewhere.

Manager Aaron Boone was excited about the idea of Torres making the jump to the Yankees’ everyday shortstop, stating:

“We saw him last year play the position at a really high level, especially the first half of the season,” Boone said. “We’re lucky that with Gleyber, wherever the winter goes and guys end up, we feel like we can plug him at short and at second [base] and know we’re going to get a great, great player.”

“I feel like last year he made big strides defensively at second base and [during] the time he played at shortstop,” Boone said. “I know he won’t be satisfied, so absolutely we expect that he can continue to improve on what he’s already done.”

Could the Yankees look into adding another piece to the puzzle?

It’s not out of the question that the Bombers could look to upgrade their depth at shortstop in a potential trade. Francisco Lindor is becoming increasingly more of a distant memory, especially with Thairo Estrada camped out beneath Torres on the depth chart. Boone considers him a viable in-house candidate to supplement any struggled Torres might have throughout the 2020 campaign.