Could Yankees still consider trading Gleyber Torres if DJ LeMahieu returns?

Gleyber Torres’ Yankees future still isn’t entirely set in stone.

The New York Yankees’ current situation is complicated. The payroll, the roster, everything. The middle infield might be the biggest issue, however.

There have been a lot of knee-jerk reactions about Gleyber Torres‘ debut season at shortstop, with many suggesting that it may not be his positional fit for the long haul. That’s potentially what has played a role in delaying DJ LeMahieu’s return. If the Yankees bring back their MVP at a high price, then it could possibly put them in a precarious situation at shortstop.

For the most part, the conventional viewpoints have been 1) DJ returns, Gleyber gets another year at shortstop to prove himself or 2) DJ leaves, Gleyber shifts over to second base and the Yankees make a huge play for a guy like Francisco Lindor. But is there a third option we’ve been overlooking?

DJ returns and Gleyber is gone? Huh?!

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan popped onto The Michael Kay Show on Tuesday to talk Yankees, and a lot of what he had to say didn’t exactly instill much confidence!

Passan thinks DJ probably returns to the Yankees, but feels a bit “iffy” about that in addition to a reunion with Masahiro Tanaka? And even if DJ does return, Torres could still be traded? Can we get a shred of hopefulness?

We always thought a DJ return would force the Yankees’ hand in keeping Gleyber at shortstop, but could we be looking at a situation where general manager Brian Cashman dangles the young slugger for a top pitcher and then looks to fill shortstop by adding a cost-effective option in the form of Andrelton Simmons? We don’t like it, but it certainly could be a possibility if Passan has any such inclinations.

Fans would NOT be happy about that, we’d like to think. Everyone wants Gleyber to develop despite the fact the Yankees window to win a World Series is right now. If there are some bumps along the way, so be it. No team out there is enduring a picture perfect scenario with their roster.

If LeMahieu does return and the Yankees feel the need to move on from Torres, there will be a full-fledged revolt if his replacement isn’t a guy like Lindor or Trevor Story. This is the New York Yankees. Cost-effective options can take a hike. There needs to be an immediate impact replacement for Torres if this is under consideration.

But I think we’d all rather the status quo of DJ coming back to play second and Gleyber remaining at short. We don’t like all these complications.

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