Gleyber Torres Set to Accept Qualifying Offer

Infielder Gleyber Torres is poised to accept the qualifying offer from the Detroit Tigers. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Torres will agree to a one-year contract valued at $22.025 million. This decision follows an expectation that he would accept the offer after becoming a free agent.

Gleyber Torres’ Background and Performance

Last season, Torres was a free agent and reportedly turned down a multi-year contract from the Los Angeles Angels. He opted not to accept that offer, choosing instead to play for a team in contention. Settling for a one-year deal, he earned $15 million with the Tigers.

During the 2025 season, Torres did not significantly enhance his market value. He finished with a batting line of .256/.358/.387 and a wRC+ of 113, a modest improvement over his previous year’s performance of .257/.330/.378, which resulted in a wRC+ of 105. His career numbers reflect a .264/.337/.433 batting line and a wRC+ of 114.

Performance Breakdown

• First Half Performance: .281/.387/.425 with a wRC+ of 131
• Second Half Performance: .223/.320/.339 with a wRC+ of 88

His production fluctuated significantly between the two halves of the season. After the conclusion of the season, Torres underwent surgery for a sports hernia. He stated that he had been dealing with this injury for several months, impacting his performance as the Tigers competed for a playoff spot.

Future Prospects and Team Outlook

Entering the offseason, he is expected to recover fully and return to his earlier form. The Tigers are optimistic about his prospects for the 2026 season, prompting them to offer him a raise. While other teams might have been willing to provide a higher salary, they would have faced penalties due to the qualifying offer.

Prior to signing the qualifying offer, there were speculations that Torres might secure a contract worth around $40 million over three years. However, the Tigers remain confident in his ability to perform at second base, a position he has not played outside of for over three years.

Tigers’ Financial Implications

As it stands, the Tigers are expected to have a payroll of approximately $146 million for the upcoming season, which is lower than their final payroll of $155 million in 2025. The team’s future spending habits remain uncertain, but they appear to prioritize pitching needs over other acquisitions, including a potential interest in third baseman Alex Bregman.