Gleyber Torres Revitalizes Season with Strong Finish for Yankees

NEW YORK — In what was anticipated to be a standout season for Gleyber Torres, the 27-year-old second baseman of the New York Yankees faced unexpected challenges at the start of 2024. Following a resurgent 2023 season, which saw him hit 25 home runs and maintain a 14.6% strikeout rate, Torres entered the new season on a downward trajectory.

By June 1, Torres held a lackluster batting line of .229/.310/.327, leading the league in errors at his position. His power was notably absent, with his first home run not occurring until May 2. As his plate discipline waned, so did his performance, causing him to be moved down the lineup.

Torres revealed that a trip to Tampa during the All-Star break helped him recalibrate his approach. “During the [All-Star] break, I went to Tampa,” Torres shared. “I have a small facility there… When I struggle, I just go there, try to fix everything.”

His efforts began to bear fruit in late June, as he achieved three consecutive two-hit games. From June 28 to August 15, Torres batted .279/.340/.382 over 25 games, mirroring his 2023 performance minus the power. On August 16, Yankees manager Aaron Boone reinstated him to the leadoff spot in the lineup. From there, Torres posted a .313/.386/.454 batting line in the final 39 games of the regular season.

“I feel like when Boonie gave me the opportunity to lead off, especially when it was a struggle, I was a little surprised,” Torres explained. “The swing feels good. I do a lot of adjustments… and when I go to home plate, I didn’t think too much, just trust in myself.”

Torres’s turnaround carried into the postseason, where he has been instrumental in the Yankees’ success. He reached base to start five out of six October games, achieving a batting line of .292/.433/.500 with two doubles, a homer, and more walks than strikeouts. Boone noted, “He’s been excellent… He started to find his way in the second half, in the final two months of the season and now into the playoffs.”

Despite his on-field success, Torres’s future with the Yankees remains uncertain. As he enters free agency, priority may shift to re-signing another player due to potential payroll constraints. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner had previously indicated financial limitations, potentially complicating Torres’s long-term stay with the Yankees.

“I don’t want to say I struggled because I think too much about free agency,” Torres commented. “For sure, sometimes I think if I don’t do right, maybe I’m not going to sign here. But I don’t feel any pressure at the moment.”

While Torres’s future is still up in the air, his current performance has been a decisive factor in the Yankees’ bid for the postseason, and his focus remains on contributing to the team’s success.