In a New York Post article discussing the way forward for free agent outfielder Aaron Judge with the Yankees, Joel Sherman prompt in passing the Mariners have inquired about Torres’ availability. Maybe Sherman’s remark is nothing greater than a puff of smoke from the recent range. However simply in case there’s one thing to it, let’s assess Torres as a possible reply for Seattle’s want at second base.
Promoting factors: In 2022, Torres was considerably extra productive in comparison with the mixed effort of the 5 Mariners spending time at second basemen – Adam Frazier (460 plate appearances), Abraham Toro (161 PA) Dylan Moore (28 PA), Sam Haggerty (5 PA), Luis Torrens (4 PA). Not solely that, Torres’ offensive numbers bettered league averages in most classes.
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Torres makes loud contact. We lately famous the Mariners need more hitters with this core competency heading into subsequent season. The 2-time All-Star’s 45.3% hard-hit price was second-best amongst 29 second basemen with at the very least 250 batted balls. Solely Brendan Rodgers (45.9%) of the Colorado Rockies bettered Torres on this essential metric.
A “hard-hit ball” has an exit velocity of 95 mph or increased. The “hard-hit price” of a participant or workforce represents the share of batted balls with a 95+mph exit velocity. In 2022, the typical hard-hit price was 38.4%. – Statcast
Torres’ 24 residence runs have been third amongst certified second basemen behind Jose Altuve (28) of the Houston Astros and Marcus Semien (26) of the Texas Rangers. The suitable-handed hitter additionally ranked ninth in doubles and fourth in SLG amongst his positional friends.
Producing energy didn’t result in an extreme variety of swings and misses by Torres. His 22.6% strikeout price was basically league-average – his profession price is 21.9%. If Torres have been a member of the 2022 Mariners, his strikeout price would’ve been higher than Eugenio Suarez (31.2%), Cal Raleigh (29.4%), Dylan Moore (29.4%), Mitch Haniger (26.3%) and Julio Rodríguez (25.9%).
Defensively, Torres had a pleasant season. His 9 DRS was fifth finest amongst 29 second basemen with at the very least 500 innings on the place.
Defensive runs saved (DRS) quantifies a participant’s complete defensive efficiency by trying to measure what number of runs a defender saved. It takes under consideration errors, vary, outfield arm and double-play skill. – MLB.com
A workforce buying Torres would have him although the 2024 season. The Venezuelan has two further years of arbitration eligibility remaining with MLB Trade Rumors projecting a $9.8 million wage in 2023.
Torres is younger and in his prime. Though he’s been a major-leaguer for 5 years, 2023 will solely be his age-26 season.
Potential issues: After two nice seasons to kick off his profession, Torres hasn’t lived as much as Yankees fan expectations since. In 2018-19, he was a Rookie of the Yr finalist and chosen for 2 All-Star video games. He’s been good-ish, however not nice since.
The decline is instantly obvious after we evaluate Torres’ manufacturing throughout his first two campaigns to his final three.
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One thing else to think about, taking part in in Yankee Stadium is a extra advantageous for right-handed hitters than T-Mobile Park. Statcast park components rank the ball yard within the Bronx as twelfth most favorable for righty bats, whereas Seattle’s residence area ranks twenty ninth. As for Torres, his splits from the previous two seasons counsel his residence run energy is noticeably lowered on the street.
Throughout his time with the Yankees, Torres has demonstrated a willingness to take a stroll, which is mirrored in a profession 8.6% stroll price. However his stroll price dropped from 9.7% final 12 months to six.8% in 2022. He hasn’t precisely change into allergic to free passes. However a three-percent decline in a single 12 months is actually worthy of point out.
Though DRS suggests Torres had a great 12 months within the area in 2022, his protection has been a sensitive topic since he debuted in 2018. The five-year veteran has in depth expertise at second base and shortstop. However on the latter, it’s been a catastrophe.
Shortstop – 2,063 innings (-24 DRS)
Second base – 2.715 innings (1 DRS)
So, how does a participant with 9 DRS this 12 months have a steadiness of 1 DRS after taking part in a place for two,700-plus innings? Inconsistency could be the root trigger.
Torres tallied 5 DRS as a rookie, however plummeted to -11 in his sophomore marketing campaign. Throw in -2 DRS in 2021 after which 9 DRS this 12 months and you find yourself with 1 DRS for a profession.
Ideas: Including Torres could be an intriguing transfer. One with an opportunity of paying off for the Mariners – even when he by no means ascends to the heights reached throughout his first two MLB seasons.
Sure, it’s doable Torres’ residence run energy suffers if he have been now not sporting Yankee pinstripes. However let’s not overlook the actual fact he hits the ball laborious. This skill sometimes results in good offensive manufacturing in any ballpark, together with pitcher-friendly T-Cell Park. This particularly rings true for a participant like Torres, who doesn’t strikeout at a excessive price.
Considerations about Torres’ defensive acumen are warranted. Then once more, the Mariners group has demonstrated a knack for serving to infielders change into the very best model of themselves underneath the watchful eye of infield guru Perry Hill. The venerable coach isn’t a miracle employee. However Torres has delivered good outcomes prior to now, which suggests Hill will help carry out the very best in him.
Lastly: For the Mariners fan anxious about their favourite workforce swapping gamers with the Yankees, please settle for one phrase recommendation.
Chill out.
Consider it or not, the Yankees don’t always fleece the Mariners in trades as some Seattle followers imagine. That’s extra notion than actuality.
Moreover, the Mariners seem like a corporation on the rise.
The Yankees don’t.
My Oh My…
Luke Arkins
Luke is a local New Yorker, who grew up as a Mets fan. After the US Navy moved him to the Pacific Northwest in 2009, he determined to make Seattle his residence.
In 2014, Luke joined the Prospect Insider workforce. Throughout baseball season, he can usually be discovered observing the native workforce at T-Cell Park.
You possibly can observe Luke on Twitter @luke_arkins
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