The Yankees’ acquisition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been a success, but it led to the departure of Gleyber Torres, who refused to change positions. Now with the Detroit Tigers, Torres may face a similar positional conflict. If he refuses to move to third base, the Tigers may consider trading him to optimize their lineup.
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The New York Yankees’ trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr. last season has proven to be a significant boon, with the 27-year-old excelling in the 2025 season. However, the trade also highlighted a positional conflict that led to the departure of longtime Yankees veteran and former All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres. Torres refused to change positions when Chisholm joined the team, leading to Chisholm playing third base instead.
Torres’ Positional Refusal
When the Yankees acquired Chisholm, it was anticipated that he would become the team’s starting second baseman. However, Torres’ refusal to move to third base necessitated a reconfiguration, with Chisholm shifting to third. This decision ultimately influenced the Yankees’ decision not to extend Torres a contract offer in the offseason, leading to his departure to the Detroit Tigers.
Predictions for Torres’ Future
Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts that the Tigers may trade Torres if he continues to refuse to change positions. Bowden notes, “Torres didn’t want to move to third base for the Yankees last year after they traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr., so he’s likely not going to move to third for the Tigers either.” Given Torres’ below-average defense at second base, the Tigers may find it challenging to integrate him into their lineup without a trade.
Detroit’s Lineup Challenges
Detroit faces the task of integrating multiple young players into their lineup, and moving Torres to third base could be a viable solution. However, if Torres maintains his stance on not moving positions, the Tigers may have to consider trading him to better align their roster. Bowden suggests that Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, known for his strategic acumen, will likely find a solution.
