Yankees Trade Target: Gleyber Torres

Chicago Cubs number one prospect Gleyber Torres is rumored to be the key trade chip in a potential deal for Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.

The Chicago Cubs reportedly emerged as the favorites to land New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman Sunday night when they agreed to include 19-year-old shortstop Gleyber Torres, who recently ranked 27th on Baseball America’s Midseason Top 100 Prospects list, as part of a larger package.

While the deal has yet to be finalized, it appears very likely that the two sides will ultimately get something done, with much of the framework already agreed upon.

Until Sunday evening, the Washington Nationals looked like the clear frontrunners to land Chapman, but the Yankees were apparently less than enamored with their offer of 2014 first rounder Erick Fedde and other prospects. The sticking point may have been Washington’s unwillingness to include major league starter Joe Ross. 

More from Yankees News

• Yankees trade Lucas Luetge for 2 intriguing Braves prospects after DFA
• Never forget Miguel Andújar wrecked Yankees’ Nolan Arenado trade
• Diamondbacks outfielder’s comment on Carlos Rodón’s IG raises eyebrows
• Aaron Judge Time interview scared Yankees as much as it scared you
• Why weren’t Yankees in on Kodai Senga now that we know the price?

It comes as some surprise that the Yankees would deal Aroldis Chapman for a package headlined by Gleyber Torres, given how far away he is from the major leagues and the team’s clear desire to contend in the immediate future. It was expected by many that they would push for MLB-ready pieces that could help the club in 2017.

On the other hand, Torres is extremely polsihed for his age and could shoot up through the system if all goes to plan. He is hitting .275/.359/.433 (122 wRC+) with Chicago’s High-A affiliate despite being 3.5 years younger than his competition.

He’s rebounded well from an April slump (.179/.289/.308 the first month of the season), showing the ability to make adjustments at the plate. In addition, his power appears to be on the upswing. Torres has already hit nine home runs in 2016, tripling his total in 514 PA last season in A-Ball.

Reports are a little more mixed on the other side of the ball. At 19, it’s no surprise that he’s still error prone. He’s made 19 in 87 games with Myrtle Beach this year. Perhaps more concerning are the doubts of some scouts that he can remain at shortstop.

At the same time, the Yankees are pretty well set at the position already with Didi Gregorius, Jorge Mateo, Tyler Wade, Kyle Holder, Wilkerman Garcia, and a number of others on the way up. Moving Torres to second or third may be necessary at some point just to fit him in the lineup.

Next: Yankees Top Five Priorities at the Trade Deadline

A lot can change until the trade is actually announced between the Cubs and Yankees, but if the deal ends up being Torres and change for Chapman, that’s not a terrible return for New York.

Torres’s all-around game reminds me of Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor, and it’s exciting to think of him and Mateo forming the league’s best double-play combo in a few seasons. Betting so much on a teenager is risky, but the ceiling is sky-high with Torres.