Gleyber Torres is sticking with the Tigers and staying in Detroit, and he’s doing it on a bet. A $22 million bet, to be exact.
On the surface, Torres accepting the Tigers’ qualifying offer might seem like a retreat, a player hedging his market value rather than charging into a multi-year deal. But take a closer look, and it’s the classic case of a calculated risk, by both player and team. Detroit gets a familiar, steady piece back in its infield, while Torres gets another shot to cash in a year from now, potentially healthier and better positioned to strike in a more favorable free agent market.
A First-Half Spark, a Second-Half Slide
Torres’ 2025 campaign told a tale of two seasons. His .256/.358/.387 slash line translated to a solid 113 wRC+, a clear improvement over his 2024 numbers. But dig deeper, and you’ll see how lopsided his performance really was: a.281/.387/.425 first half (wRC+ of 131) gave way to a sharp decline in the second (.223/.320/.339, wRC+ of 88). That drop-off, it turns out, had a medical explanation. Torres played through a sports hernia for months, choosing to gut it out as Detroit remained in playoff contention. The decision may have cost him at the plate, but it likely won him respect in the front office.
Tigers Play It Safe With Familiar Talent
With Torres not expected to be hampered in 2026, the Tigers saw enough value in offering him the $22.025 million qualifying offer and got the return they hoped for. The one-year deal gives them continuity at second base, where Torres hasn’t moved from in over three years. It also lets them avoid a scramble for middle infield talent while turning their attention elsewhere. Currently projected at $146 million in payroll, Detroit has room below last year’s $155 million mark to make further upgrades.
Free Agency, Rewound and Reimagined
Torres was a free agent just a year ago, reportedly fielding a multi-year offer from the Angels, one he turned down to play for a contender. While the dollar figures remain unknown, it’s clear the bet didn’t quite pay off. He ended up with a one-year, $15 million deal in Detroit and didn’t significantly elevate his market value this past season. Still, with no long-term deal on the table and the QO tied to his name, a return to Detroit may have been his most strategic move. Come 2026, if he’s healthy and productive, Torres will try free agency again, this time without a qualifying offer holding down his market.
For now, he returns to a clubhouse and a fan base that knows him, and if the first half of 2025 was any indication, there’s still some spark left in Torres’ bat.
