The Nationals are exhibiting curiosity in Gleyber Torres, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Publish. Sherman studies that the Nats have inquired on the infielder’s willingness to maneuver to 3rd base.
Torres has by no means performed third base within the majors. He has spent his whole MLB profession within the center infield. Since transferring off shortstop in 2022, Torres has primarily been restricted to second base. He caught on the keystone after the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins ultimately summer time’s deadline. New York moved Chisholm to the recent nook as a substitute.
Whereas Torres seemingly didn’t wish to transfer off second base with the Yankees, he is likely to be extra prepared to take action now. It’s not a midseason change that may require him to study third base on the fly. There’s additionally the straightforward matter that increasing his versatility would give Torres extra attraction. Free company is usually not form to gamers who’re pigeonholed at second. Sliding to 3rd would enable him to discipline broader curiosity.
Washington has one of many weakest third base teams within the majors. Mild-hitting José Tena is the anticipated starter. Brady Home, one of many group’s high prospects, has gotten to the excessive minors. Home struck out at an elevated 28.8% clip in 54 Triple-A video games, although, so he’s unlikely to begin subsequent season within the massive leagues. Common supervisor Mike Rizzo has spoken concerning the workforce’s need so as to add a middle-of-the-order bat. Torres doesn’t actually qualify as such, however he’s a very good hitter who would improve the lineup. The nook infield and designated hitter are the most important questions marks within the Nats’ offense.
At second base, former high prospect Luis García Jr. is coming off the strongest season of his profession. The lefty-swinging infielder hit .282/.318/.444 with 18 longballs and 22 stolen bases over 140 video games. García’s defensive grades stay combined, however this was simply his finest 12 months on the plate. García and Torres have a broadly related profile as bat-first second basemen with good contact abilities.
Torres, 28 on Friday, hit 15 homers with a .257/.330/.378 slash throughout 665 plate appearances. That middling manufacturing was principally a results of a horrible April. Torres had a usually sturdy .267/.339/.409 slash from the beginning of Might onward. He continued to provide through the Yankees’ run to the World Collection.
If the Nationals have been to land Torres as a 3rd baseman, they’d be operating a threat defensively. He’s not an particularly good defender on the keystone. The place change is a possible complication, whereas the center infield duo of García and CJ Abrams is already one of many league’s weakest defensive combos. The Angels, who would doubtless hold Torres at second base, are additionally recognized to be within the combine.
