Gleyber Torres accepting Tigers' qualifying offer represents silent Yankees' win

New York Yankees fans just experienced collective shock with news arriving that Trent Grisham will accept his qualifying offer and don pinstripes in 2026. Grisham's surprising decision will dominate Yankees headlines for the next few days, but his wasn't the only QO acceptance relevant to the club.

Former Yank and current Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres also said yes to his qualifying offer, which reflects an underrated win for the Yankees that will inevitably get lost in the Grisham media storm.

With Torres set to earn $22.025 million in 2026, he'll have ultimately cost the Tigers a little over $37 million in 2025 and 2026 (Detroit signed Torres to a one-year, $15 million deal last December).

Gleyber Torres' QO decision reinforces how much better off the Yankees are with a cheaper (and superior) Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Imagine if the Yankees had taken this Torres route rather than the alternate path at second base with Jazz Chisholm Jr.? New York traded for Chisholm and his $2.625 salary before the 2024 trade deadline, and he's only delivered on his billing since.

Chisholm cost the Yankees $5.85 million in 2025, and he's expected by some to land a salary in the $11-$13 million range for 2026, most likely amounting to a sub-$20 million figure combined in 2024-2026. This falls far short of Torres's combined $37 million figure over a shorter stretch, all with Jazz offering superior value on the diamond.

Chisholm hit .242/.332/.481 in 2025 with 31 home runs, 80 RBI, and 31 stolen bases in 130 games. Torres, by comparison, hit .256/.358/.387 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, and four stolen bases in 145 games.

Chisholm is also the better (and more versatile) defender. The difference in mindsets between the two players couldn't have been made much clearer than when Torres pushed back against giving up second base to Chisholm in 2024, upon which Chisholm coolly took over third and did what was best for his teammates.

Chisholm has repeatedly shown a willingness to play wherever the infield needs him, even since Torres's departure. Beyond his team-first mentality and ever-dangerous bat, Chisholm also has the perfect personality for the bright lights of New York. He's a great fit in the Bronx, and the Yankees absolutely should have extended him before it became too late.

But hey, at least Yankees GM Brian Cashman ended up with Chisholm rather than Torres, and for far cheaper. It's a win that the Yankees' front office would be wise to advertise this week as it deals with the fallout resulting from the apparent Grisham debacle.