Chicago Cubs Rumors: Could Gleyber Torres trade make sense?

As many remember so fondly, the Chicago Cubs lost Gleyber Torres in a 2016 trade that netted them a return of Aroldis Chapman. We all know how 2016 ended for the Cubs. However, as Chapman wound up leaving the Cubs, and Theo Epstein went on to essentially deplete the farm in search of another contender, the stud prospect names began to pile up that were no longer in Chicago's organization.

Fast forward 6.5 years, and we come to a situation that could come full circle for the Cubs. As Bruce Levine reported on the Score this morning, Gleyber Torres can be had from the New York Yankees. The price seems cheap for the two years of team control attached to Torres, who doesn't reach free agency until after the 2024 season. The Yankees are simply looking for a left-handed reliever.

Immediately, Brandon Hughes comes to mind, who isn't a free agent until 2029. For the Cubs, that would mean more shopping needs to be done to bulk the lefties in pen, which currently only consists of Hughes himself at the major league level. Thankfully, several are available, and you can check that list out here. Back to Torres. We know the Cubs need a 3rd baseman. After debuting with the Yankees in 2018, Torres has slashed a respectful .265/.331/.455, notching HR counts of 24, 38, and 24 again in 2022.

For Torres, the thought would be that the Cubs could move him to third base. He primarily plays 2B/SS; therefore, it's hard to envision a role for him daily in the field. Unless the Cubs wanted to bring him as a DH and have him alternate in the field with Swanson and Hoerner when they need a day off, third base would have to suffice. And that's where the interest stops if I'm Jed Hoyer.

Gleyber Torres has never played one game at third base in his career. Glancing over the last two years for Torres, He recorded -8 OOA and -6 runs prevented in 2021, followed by 0 and 0 in 2022. Those marks are both while playing at this primary position. This is a huge step backward to insert a guy at the hot corner who's never played there before, with the shift being banned, and expect him to produce defensively. It goes against the mindset the Cubs have had to this point in the winter regarding an emphasis on run prevention.

Although the bat is a fantastic addition to the lineup, the glove makes me steer clear. He is under contract for two more years, so as stated above, the Cubs could hypothetically do whatever they want positionally if they obtain him via trade. If the Cubs want defense at third base and a decent bat with some pop, they should inquire about Matt Chapman via trade. A three-time Gold Glove winner certainly fits the mold much more than Torres.