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Yankees: 3 trade deadline chips NYY will regret moving

Adam Weinrib|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 20: Estevan Florial #90 of the New York Yankees follows through on his eighth inning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Yankee Stadium on July 20, 2021 in New York City. The home run was the first in the major leagues for Florial. The Yankees defeated the Phillies 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 20: Estevan Florial #90 of the New York Yankees follows through on his eighth inning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Yankee Stadium on July 20, 2021 in New York City. The home run was the first in the major leagues for Florial. The Yankees defeated the Phillies 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

1. Gleyber Torres

Look, I don’t know what Gleyber Torres is either. But I don’t understand why it might be a “smart” strategy to cut bait midseason with someone who seemed to be a future MVP back in 2019 — and, again, at the lowest possible value.

Try as I might, I really don’t foresee Torres ever providing anything worse than what he’s given us in 2021. Call me a cockeyed optimist.

Following a 38-homer, juiced ball-aided 2019 season, some regression was likely expected for Torres, who should’ve still been a solid line-drive hitter with 20-homer power and a good approach. Somehow (maybe due to the move back to shortstop?), he’s produced an 85 OPS+, 0.8 WAR (it’s that high?), and numerous poor 0-2 chases this season. Twice, it’s seemed like he’s reignited his fly ball swing, including against the Red Sox last weekend. The first time, it didn’t take.

Whether the Yankees eventually move on from Torres (or at least move him) is their prerogative. If they sign a high-profile shortstop like Corey Seager or Carlos Correa this offseason — and they should — they might eventually find themselves shopping their future centerpiece more forcefully. However, cutting bait at this year’s deadline feels remarkably shortsighted, especially for a team that’s lost most of its starters and probably shouldn’t be running Gio Urshela out deep in the hole daily.

When the offseason arrives, New York will have a choice to trade Luke Voit or Torres if they prefer to add a big bat at shortstop. Neither is peaking. Jumping the gun on a Torres deal two months ahead of time, though, would be an even worse decision than selling low in the middle of a free-agent frenzy.

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