Might Yankees' silence on Gleyber Torres front indicate trade is brewing?

It's quiet ... too quiet!

Look, we'd probably agree that trading Gleyber Torres isn't in the New York Yankees' best interest. For as frustrating as he can be as a player, he's one of the best second basemen in the game, and that's a hard position to gain a distinct advantage at.

But the truth of the matter is this: Torres is a free agent after 2024, he probably won't be a Yankee beyond that, and all hope would not be lost if he's traded for the appropriate pieces that would help replenish the pitching staff.

Though Brian Cashman manages to swing deals when the chatter is loud (i.e. Juan Soto), he also operates in the shadows and strikes when you're least expecting it. Could that be what's happening behind the scenes right now as the trade market begins to take shape?

The Yankees are reportedly in on a multitude of pitchers this offseason, with the likes of Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber and Corbin Burnes being floated as possibilities. Then there's a fleet of Marlins pitchers that may or may not be on the market. Who's to say other names won't be made available, either? That could put Torres in the crosshairs if the right trade partner surfaces.

Yankees Rumors: Gleyber Torres trade could still be possible despite silence

Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic (subscription required) didn't rule out a trade in their latest mailbag, nor did they dispute the likelihood of Torres walking when next offseason arrives. They specifically mentioned Torres being a candidate to be dealt at this year's trade deadline. It's also been reported the Yankees have not approached him about a contract extension.

Torres' situation is admittedly complicated, though. His expiring deal doesn't exactly attract what the Yankees are looking for. Almost nobody would be willing to surrender controllable pitching for a rental second baseman earning $14.2 million and looking for a lucrative long-term deal at season's end. (Side note: The Yankees and Torres settled at that salary right before the arbitration deadline. They won't head to a hearing, but did the Yankees strategize to get a deal done so any potential perceived friction with an arbitration case wouldn't affect his trade value? It's all worth wondering.)

In the end, we'd bet it's still unlikely he's moved. But we wouldn't view the silence around the buzz as indicative of that. The silence might actually indicate there's more in the works than we're led on to believe. The mere trade framework is what's making this tough to predict.

If the Yankees are "going for it" in 2024, Torres is probably a key figure on the roster. But if they can't get their hands on the pitching they so desire without moving him, they probably won't hesitate to send him packing.

The front office knows if the trade chatter is loud, Torres' play won't be up to par, as evidenced by his struggles after the 2022 trade deadline. Remember Torres reportedly banned trade rumor chatter under his own roof? This is an overly complicated manner that won't reach a conclusion until Torres hits free agency.

Until then, his potential departure should very much remain in the back of everyone's mind this year.