Don’t expect to see Gleyber Torres or Anthony Rizzo wear pinstripes next season.
According to Jack Curry of YES Network, the Yankees have “no plans” to pursue either of those two infielders when they approach free agency this offseason.
Given the way Rizzo and Torres have performed in recent years, this should not come as a complete surprise. If anything, Rizzo had the best chance of returning for the next season, but the Yankees declined the first baseman’s $17 million club option for 2025 soon after the World Series. It required them to pay a $6 million buyout.
With Torres and Rizzo projected to sign elsewhere, the Yankees’ right side of the infield will look very different in 2025 and beyond.
Rizzo, 35, was acquired from the Cubs at the 2021 trade deadline, a battle-tested veteran primed to put an end to the Yankees’ long-standing difficulties at first base. He had his moments, blooming as a clubhouse leader and developing a tight relationship with captain Aaron Judge, but injuries resulted in a significant drop in his productivity.
Simply simply, Rizzo hasn’t been the same player since sustaining a head injury in May 2023 when colliding with Padres standout Fernando Tatis Jr. at first base. Post-concussion syndrome hampered the rest of the season. Rizzo then struggled to start this season before breaking his forearm in a severe tumble while running out a ground ball. On the penultimate day of the regular season, he was hit by a pitch in the right hand, breaking two fingers. Rizzo played despite the unfortunate injury throughout the final two rounds of the postseason after missing the Division Series.
Rizzo hit.237/.315/.358 with 20 home runs in 191 games throughout his final two seasons with the Yankees.
Torres was originally a prized prospect for the Yankees, a wonder who exploded during his first few seasons with the team. He hit 38 home runs and had a.871 OPS as a sophomore in 2019, looking like a franchise cornerstone up the middle.
Torres had to transfer from shortstop to second base due to his recurring defensive issues — he’s made more errors at second base than any other player since his MLB debut (62 since 2018), but he never regained his previous level of offensive productivity.
Torres deserves credit for completing the 2024 season on a positive note. He was a good leadoff hitter down the stretch and into October, saving what appeared to be a dismal walk season. Torres will be considered by other teams this offseason, given his performance in 2023 — he was the Yankees’ second-best hitter that year, trailing only Judge.
However, it was evident that his time with the Yankees was coming to an end. Looking back on his recent stint, the errors on defence and poor baserunning decisions stand out more than the flashes of high-level offence. Torres has a.261/.332/.411 batting line since the start of the 2020 season, with an average of 15 home runs each season.
When it comes to replacing those two players, the Yankees may have to be inventive if they want to re-sign Juan Soto, a sweepstakes that might prevent them from spending heavily on other positions.
First base should be a primary priority, but if the Yankees don’t sign a free agent, such as Christian Walker, they may go to the trade market for a more cost-effective solution. They require a slugger who can play good defence. Their main internal possibilities at that position are DJ LeMahieu (who is under contract for two more seasons worth $15 million each) and youngster Ben Rice.
The Yankees can replace Torres at second base with Jazz Chisholm Jr., who moved over from the Marlins at the trade deadline this summer. He was initially a middle infielder for Miami. This would allow for a new face at third base. The Yankees are also interested in prospect Caleb Durbin, a versatile infielder with an excellent hitting tool who is expected to play in the majors next spring.
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