A SIGNING PREDICTION THAT CAME OUT OF NO-WHERE TO REPLACE GLEYBER TORRES

Let’s get one thing straight: Gleyber Torres belongs in New York. He’s the infield heartthrob we all deserve, and the idea of letting him go feels like breaking up with a soulmate because someone new joined your trivia team. This is a fun suggestion and all, but my actual suggestion is simple—don’t mess this up, Yankees. Re-sign Gleyber.

Now, MLB analyst Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated has floated an intriguing little Plan B: Brendan Rodgers. Yep, the Rockies’ former third overall pick and Gold Glove winner is now a free agent because Colorado decided to let him walk (classic Rockies move).

Let’s break it down. Rodgers hit .267/.314/.407 last year with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 135 games. Decent numbers—solid, even—but nothing that screams “cornerstone of your franchise.” He’s more like the guy you call when your first-choice prom date already has a plus-one.

On the bright side, Rodgers brings elite defense to the table. His Gold Glove in 2022 means he can definitely vacuum up ground balls and turn slick double plays. If the Yankees want a dependable glove at second base while they wait for prospect Caleb Durbin to graduate from the minors, Rodgers might be their guy. But let’s be real: calling him a “stopgap” isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement. It’s like saying, “Sure, he’s fine—he’ll hold us over until the real deal shows up.” Harsh, but fair.

And hey, Rodgers is 28, so he’s in the golden window of baseball productivity. He’d likely slot in at the bottom of the lineup and bring some contact hitting, maybe even surprise us with a few clutch knocks. But is that what we’re settling for? This is New York. We don’t settle—we demand pizzazz, swagger, and a little drama. Rodgers? He’s dependable, but he’s also as exciting as plain oatmeal.

Ragazzo also teases a Jazz Chisholm Jr. scenario, suggesting the Yankees could shuffle him to the infield if Gleyber goes elsewhere. Jazz is amazing, no doubt, but do we really want to uproot him from the outfield where he’s currently shining like a Broadway marquee? Plus, moving him creates yet another “who plays third?” nightmare. It’s a logistical migraine.

Here’s the thing: Brendan Rodgers isn’t a bad idea. He’s just not the best idea. If the Yankees want to play it safe and pinch some pennies, sure, take a flyer on Rodgers. Sign him to a one-year deal, let him hold the fort for Caleb Durbin, and cross your fingers he hits better in pinstripes than he did in altitude. But this is Gleyber Torres we’re talking about—a fan favorite, a proven bat, and a guy who feels like he belongs in New York.

So please, Cashman, Hal, or whoever’s reading this, do the right thing: give Gleyber the contract he deserves. He’s not just a stopgap—he’s the guy you build around. And Brendan Rodgers? No hard feelings, buddy. Maybe Colorado will have second thoughts and bring you back. Or at least offer you free Coors Light for life.