CELEBRATE GLEYBER TORRES 'CAUSE HE DID NOTHING WRONG!

I'll keep saying it—I never wanted Gleyber Torres to leave the Yankees. I always believed the organization lost patience with him too quickly, never giving him enough time to fully develop. That’s the heart of the matter. 

Mistakes and errors happen all over the field, but when Torres made them, he was immediately criticized. Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe could make similar mistakes, and it would be brushed off as a "learning experience for the young player." That double standard never sat right with me, and honestly, it's a big reason I have reservations about Volpe. He’s not perfect—far from it.

Just based on the eye test, Volpe hasn’t impressed me enough to say he’s definitively better than Torres. I know I’ll get pushback for that, but it's how I feel.

When Torres returned to play the Yankees with his new Tigers team, he received a warm reception from the crowd as Detroit’s leadoff hitter. The applause was loud showing that many fans still appreciate him.

“I was a little surprised by the fans... They welcomed me really good. I know everybody there. So, it’s fun. It’s just like, you know, good competitor, and trying to both be ready for the season.”

Torres said. He also made his feelings clear about his departure. “I feel I deserve to be with an organization that wants me... I’m here now and that’s the reason I’m here.”

When asked if he felt the Yankees no longer wanted him, his response was telling: “I don’t know. Maybe you can ask them.”

Here’s where it gets interesting—AJ Hinch is a big fan of Torres. Funny how things work out. Aaron Boone has always been painted as a "player's coach," but I never really saw him as a strong advocate for Torres. If he was, I’d probably remember it more clearly. Boone might try to be everyone’s friend, but that’s not the same as truly supporting a player. Now, Hinch believes in Torres and wants him to succeed in Detroit. That’s great for Gleyber. He deserves a fresh start and the chance to prove himself without unnecessary scrutiny.

Reading his comments, it’s obvious that Torres knew the Yankees didn’t truly want him anymore, and that’s disappointing. I’ve always felt that the organization treated him differently from other star players, almost as if they were waiting for him to fail so they could justify not offering him a new contract. Business is business, but that approach feels unfair.

One lighter note from the New York Post highlights how Torres has kept in touch with his former teammates, who had plenty to say about his new look.

“I remember I posted my first picture on social media, and a bunch of guys texted me, ‘Oh, you look weird,’” Torres said, laughing. “It’s fun. The relationships I have made there with my boys are amazing. Anywhere we go, we want to continue that.”

At least the players still appreciate him. The bottom line? I’ll always be a Torres fan, and clearly, many Yankees fans still feel the same way.