Angels, Nationals Reportedly Interested in Gleyber Torres
Torres Draws Interest from Angels, Nationals as Free Agency Heats Up
Gleyber Torres, the Venezuelan former Yankees second baseman, is drawing interest from multiple teams as free agency kicks into high gear. Both the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals have expressed interest in the 26-year-old, according to reports.
The Angels’ interest comes as no surprise. Their second basemen struggled mightily in 2024, posting a dismal .593 OPS and a -1.2 WAR (according to FanGraphs), the worst mark in the league except for the Boston Red Sox.
The Nationals, simultaneously occurring, have inquired about Torres’ willingness to move to third base, a position they’ve struggled to fill as Anthony rendón departed for the Angels in free agency after the 2019 season. Torres resisted a move to third when the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the 2024 trade deadline, but MLB Network analyst Joel Sherman speculates he might be more open to the idea now that he’s a free agent.
Washington’s third basemen have posted a league-worst 78 wRC+ as 2020.
Nationals Eye Walker for First Base
Along with Torres, the Nationals are reportedly interested in free agent first baseman Christian Walker. FanSided’s Robert Murray reports that Washington has been in discussions with the 33-year-old slugger.
While Venezuelan Juan Yépez is currently slated to be the Nationals’ starting first baseman, he has limited experiance and a relatively low home run total (20 as his 2022 debut with St. Louis). Walker, on the other hand, has hit at least 26 home runs in each of the past three seasons and has won a gold Glove at first base in each of those years.
Other Teams in the Mix
The Yankees,Detroit tigers,and Houston Astros are among other teams reportedly showing interest in Torres.
Torres a Hot Commodity as Free Agency Heats Up
NewsDirectory3.com – Former Yankee second baseman Gleyber Torres is a man in demand this offseason. As free agency begins to boil over, the 26-year-old Venezuelan is attracting interest from multiple teams looking to bolster their infields.
The Los Angeles Angels, desperate to improve their anemic second base production, have emerged as a top suitor. Their second basemen suffered through a woeful 2024 campaign, posting a paltry .593 OPS and a league-worst -1.2 WAR according to FanGraphs.
Adding Torres woudl inject much-needed offensive firepower into the Angels’ lineup.
Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals are casting a wider net, exploring Torres’ potential willingness to switch to third base. This comes after Anthony Rendon’s departure for the angels in 2019 left a void at the hot corner that they’ve struggled to fill.
Torres, who resisted a move to third when the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the 2024 trade deadline, might be more receptive to the position change now that he’s a free agent, according to MLB Network analyst Joel Sherman.
Washington’s third basemen have been the worst in baseball since 2020, posting a league-worst 78 wRC+.
The nationals are also reportedly pursuing free agent first baseman christian Walker.
FanSided’s Robert Murray reports that Washington has been in discussions with the 33-year-old slugger, who has smashed at least 26 home runs in each of the past three seasons and boasts three consecutive Gold Glove awards at first base.
While Juan Yépez is currently penciled in as the Nationals’ starting first baseman, his limited experience and relatively low home run total (20 in his 2022 debut with St. Louis) may leave the team looking for a more established presence.
Joining the Angels and Nationals in the chase for Torres are the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros.