Gleyber Torres Secures $22 Million Deal to Rejoin Detroit Tigers in 2026
Gleyber Torres has secured a one-year contract worth $22.03 million to rejoin the Detroit Tigers for the 2026 season. The agreement marks a significant move for the 28-year-old second baseman, who declined to pursue free agency. Instead, he accepted the qualifying offer from the Tigers ahead of the deadline on November 18, 2024.
The Decision to Stay with Detroit Tigers
By accepting the deal, Torres chose short-term stability over potential long-term contracts available in the free-agent market. This choice comes as part of a trend, as only four of the 13 players who received qualifying offers this offseason opted to accept them. Alongside Torres, notable players included Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers, Shota Imanaga from the Chicago Cubs, and Trent Grisham of the New York Yankees.
Unique Qualifying Offer Statistics
- Since 2012, only 18 out of 157 players have accepted qualifying offers.
- Torres is one of the first position players to take this offer since 2022.
It’s crucial to note that a player can only receive a qualifying offer once in their career. Consequently, Torres will not be eligible for this option again. After the conclusion of the 2026 season, he will enter free agency.
Gleyber Torres’s Performance Overview
In the 2025 season, Torres demonstrated commendable performance, achieving a .256 batting average with 16 home runs. He walked 85 times and struck out 101 in 145 games. His season was characterized by a stark contrast between the first and second halves. He hit .281 with an .812 OPS during the first half but struggled in the latter half, posting a .223 average with a .659 OPS.
Injury and Recovery
September proved challenging for Torres, as he ended the month on a low note. He underwent surgery in late October to address a sports hernia after playing injured for an extended period. Medical professionals expect him to be ready for full baseball activities by late November or early December.
Career Highlights
- Torres is a three-time All-Star.
- He has played a total of 1,033 MLB games, primarily with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers.
- His career averages include .264 batting with a .770 OPS, along with impressive walk (9.7%) and strikeout (19.7%) rates.
Before joining the Tigers, Torres spent seven seasons with the New York Yankees. The Yankees did not extend a qualifying offer to him last offseason, allowing him the opportunity to accept the Tigers’ offer this year.
As he approaches his 29th birthday in mid-December, fans eagerly anticipate Torres’s contributions to the Tigers in the upcoming season.
