27-year-old infielder Gleyber Torres is pivotal to the New York Yankees‘ World Series aspirations this season. After being a major offensive force last year, his performance at the start of the 2024 season has left much to be desired. With the entire team needing to contribute to secure a championship, all eyes are on Torres to elevate his game.
Torres’ stats are less than stellar, hitting only .232/.307/.347 with six homers and 24 RBIs, and a 24.4% strikeout rate. His wRC+ of 92 indicates he’s performing below league average, and he’s not on track to match last year’s 25 home runs, raising concerns about his future contract desires.
The Yankees Need The Best of Gleyber Torres
Despite a slow start, there are signs of improvement. Over the past month, Torres has managed a .260 batting average with a .790 OPS, showing a significant uptick from his .233 in April and .240 in May. He has accumulated 11 hits and nine RBIs in his last 12 games, suggesting a potential turnaround. However, with his strikeout rate increasing by about 10% this season, the Yankees are yet to see the version of Torres they had hoped for.
On the defensive front, Torres‘ performance has been equally troubling. He has logged 617 innings at second base with a career-worst .962 fielding percentage, committing 10 errors with zero defensive runs saved and two outs above average. If current trends continue, he’s on pace for over 20 errors this season. These issues may lead general manager Brian Cashman to reconsider extending Torres’ contract, especially with other contractual priorities looming.
As the season progresses, Torres has an opportunity to alter his narrative. A strong postseason could dispel any doubts about his ability, whereas a lackluster performance might jeopardize his contract aspirations. His expected batting average and slugging are among the worst of his career, and his inconsistent defense adds to the concern.
In the meantime, with Torres showing some offensive recovery, the Yankees might not need to seek a replacement at the deadline.
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Instead, they could focus on strengthening other areas, like the bullpen and corner infield positions, to support Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu, who have largely been ineffective at the plate this season. As the trade deadline approaches, the Yankees will assess their options, hoping that Torres’ recent uptick is a sign of more consistent contributions to come.