MLB Rumors: Gleyber Torres Unlocking a New Era in Detroit — and Helping Javier Báez Along the Way
The Detroit Tigers have opened the 2025 season with serious momentum, and a big part of that energy stems from their savviest offseason move: signing Gleyber Torres.
While the former Yankee was expected to bolster Detroit’s lineup with his bat, it’s his intangibles that are making the loudest noise early on — especially his unexpected role in reviving the swing of Javier Báez.
Torres: Instant Impact On and Off the Field
So far, Torres is 7-for-18 (.389), with a home run, four RBIs, and a stolen base in limited appearances. But it’s his leadership and veteran savvy that might end up proving most valuable to Detroit’s playoff hopes.
At 28, Torres is blending the energy of a prime-aged slugger with the wisdom of someone who has seen it all in New York — a combination that fits perfectly on a gritty Tigers team that surprised the league by making the playoffs last year and now sits at 10–6, first in the AL Central.
Helping Báez Find His Old Form
Few Tigers have been more in need of a spark than Javier Báez, whose last few seasons were defined more by frustration than production. Enter Torres — and more specifically, Torres’ old scouting reports from the Yankees.
“I always tell him little things,” Torres told The Athletic. “Like, ‘Yo, remember before the at-bat, they’re likely going to throw you two pitches off [the plate]... If not, the next pitches are gonna be in the zone. Those are the pitches you hit.’”
The advice has clicked. Báez's chase rate is down to 35.5% — nearly eight points lower than last season — and his early numbers reflect a major turnaround:
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Batting Average: .289
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OPS: .710 (his first time over .700 since 2021)
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WAR: +0.4 (after a -1.1 in 2024)
Is this sustainable? Time will tell. But early returns show a more disciplined, confident Báez, which could completely reshape the Tigers’ offense.
The Tigers Are Cooking — And Hinch Deserves Credit
Manager A.J. Hinch continues to prove why he's among the best in baseball. The Tigers' rotation, led by Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, is one of the strongest in the league. Offensively, they’re thriving thanks to strategic platoons, situational hitting, and players like Torres stepping up in key ways.
What looked like a patchwork lineup on paper is starting to feel like a balanced attack, especially if Báez continues trending up.
The Takeaway
It’s early, but the Tigers are building on last year’s momentum — and Gleyber Torres is at the heart of it, not just with his bat, but with the way he’s lifting teammates.
If he keeps this up, the Tigers may have pulled off one of the most underrated moves of the offseason — and not just because of the stats in the box score.
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