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Yankees sign intriguing first base option.
The New York Yankees made an intriguing signing on Saturday.
New York has had a quiet offseason as the team is in talks with Cody Bellinger. But, they could also use another bat, especially at first base. The Yankees could make Ben Rice their full-time first baseman, but the team did make one move on Saturday.
Torres had been playing with Algodoneros Unión Laguna in Mexico, and the team announced on Saturday that he signed with the Yankees.
“Thank you, Nick Torres, for every game, every delivery, and every thrill you gave us,” the team wrote. “For the way you have connected with the fans, for becoming a reference, an idol, and one of the most beloved players of this house.
“Your time with the Revolución leaves a mark on the diamond, in the stands, and in the hearts of our people. Today it’s your turn to keep growing and fulfill one more dream, now with the Yankees organization. It fills us with pride to see you take this step and take your talent to a new stage. La Laguna and Algodoneros will always be your home. Thank you, Nick.”
Torres has been playing in Mexico since 2021. Last season, he hit .345 with 27 home runs and 81 RBIs as his bat has vastly improved. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. Torres’ last MLB affiliation was in Triple-A in 2018 for the Rangers when he hit .195.
Nick Torres Can Compete for Everyday Job for Yankees
The signing of Torres seems like a minor one, but he could very well have a major role this year for the Yankees.
The first base position is wide open with Paul Goldschmidt gone, and Rice could still contribute at catcher. So, if Torres’ bat can translate to the majors in spring training, he could very well crack the Yankees roster and be an impact hitter.
With first base wide open, Yankees manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, told Amed Rosario to start learning the position.
“That’s one of the positions we’ll work him out at,” Boone said, according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “He lives in the Tampa area. I think he’s going home to the Dominican Republic for Christmas, and then he’ll probably be at the complex a fair amount in January and working that first base into the mix.
“He started to do it a little bit with the Nationals last year, never ended up playing, but was doing the work over there a little bit. So we’ll start to ramp that up with him a little more to have that as an option.”
But if Torres plays well in spring training, the door is open for him to make an impact for the Yankees.
New York GM Likes Roster
Although the Yankees haven’t made any major moves, general manager Brian Cashman likes the team’s roster.
Cashman felt like the team didn’t have to make any splashy moves, as he believes the team is a legit World Series contender.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Cashman said. “The job right now is to find out what’s available, and those all have different price points. There could be cheap players that are available that are good. Or there could be very expensive players that are available that are good. It’s just cost of acquisition; the cheap ones would be in the trade market, clearly.”
The Yankees have the second-best odds of winning the World Series.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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