Ex-Yankees $15 million star sends 3-word response to Brian Cashman after criticism

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The New York Yankees made some blockbuster additions this winter, but those came after a few notable subtractions.

First and foremost, the team saw superstar slugger Juan Soto depart for a record-breaking contract with the New York Mets. But it also moved on from Gleyber Torres, a two-time All-Star who had spent seven years manning second base for the Yankees.

Torres hit free agency after a down 2024 campaign that saw him slash .257/.330/.378 with poor defense and some questionable baserunning. This winter, Torres took a one-year, $15 million deal to join the Detroit Tigers, suggesting the Yankees showed little to no interest in retaining him at any cost.

But even after finding a new home, Torres seemed to hold onto some hard feelings about his Yankees exit. When asked if he felt he was no longer wanted by the Yankees after that “unceremonious end,” he offered three choice words to the New York Post’s Dan Martin and told him to direct that question to Yankees executive Brian Cashman instead.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe you can ask him.”

Torres might have some good reason for a grudge against Cashman that goes beyond his free agency. Cashman seemed to criticize his former second baseman this winter by noting that he had traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr. with a plan to move Torres to third base, but that Torres was unwilling to accommodate that change.

Now, Torres is set to man second for the Tigers while the Yankees look to fill third base without a true replacement and following some bad injury news for veteran DJ LeMahieu.

Ultimately, Torres is focused on his next opportunity with a franchise that was willing to meet his asking price.

“I feel I deserve to be with an organization that wants me,” he added, per Martin. “I’m here now and that’s the reason I’m here.”

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Peter Chawaga

Peter Chawaga is a veteran journalist covering Major League Baseball for The Sporting News. His MLB reporting has included feature interviews with commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame slugger David Ortiz, salary analysis, player rankings and more. He has covered baseball for Forbes, Yardbarker, Pitcher List, Athlon and other outlets.

With over ten years of newsroom experience, he has previously covered finance, technology, arts, and culture for newspapers, magazines, and websites nationwide. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in English and journalism.