The Yankees Have an Alarming Issue With Gleyber Torres' Defense At Shortstop
One of the biggest storylines in the offseason for the New York Yankees was what was going to happen at shortstop for the long term. Gleyber Torres is a two time All Star who has the ability to destroy opposing pitching. On the flip side, he's a below average fielder who is starting to cost the Yankees ball games at the shortstop position. Before 2020, Gleyber was comfortably stationed at second base with Didi manning short. Since Didi's departure, Gleyber has taken over since that is his natural position. The results haven't been good and they're not getting better despite the work he's put in there to change the narrative. Last night his error cost the Yankees the ball game in the 10th.
Could a better first baseman have made that pick? Yeah, maybe, but that ground ball was about as routine as humanly possible hit to Gleyber. It would have gotten New York out of the 10th unscathed and set up the Yankees to win the game with one run in the bottom half of the frame. Just a brutal, brutal error where he took so much time that he ended up having to rush the throw. It really comes down to him being too passive with grounders and not being aggressive enough. With two errors already charged to his name in six games, and probably deserving of another, Gleyber has been far from competent to begin a very important season for him, especially with guys like Trevor Story and Seager available in the offseason. If everything stays as is, I wouldn't be totally shocked if Gio is your shortstop in big moments later in the season. DJ to 3rd, Gleyber back at 2nd. We're a while from that, but I don't see much changing here.
I hopped on the pod last night after the game and gave my rapid reaction to Jamo's start, Judge's injury concern, and Gleyber's defense. I bring up the error at the 6:30 mark.
3-3 to start the season I'm far from worried, especially how good the pitching has looked. Just woulda been nice to grab that sweep heading into a big series with the Rays starting tomorrow.