DETROIT — It’s official: the Tigers have made their move.
According to league sources, the Detroit Tigers have extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to free-agent infielder Gleyber Torres, signaling their intent to retain one of the most productive and dynamic players of the 2025 season.
The offer represents both a reward and a challenge — a recognition of Torres’ resurgence and an invitation for him to define the next phase of his career.
For Torres, 29, it marks another chapter in a career defined by redemption. Once a rising star with the Yankees, his time in New York ended under a cloud of inconsistency and unmet expectations. But in Detroit, he found what every athlete searches for: clarity, confidence, and purpose.
In 2025, Torres emerged as the heart of the Tigers’ lineup, slashing .288/.355/.512 with 26 home runs, 90 RBIs, and a career-best 4.8 WAR. His defense at second base — once a talking point for critics — stabilized, and his leadership off the field grew into something that teammates described as “quiet authority.”
“He became the guy everyone looked to,” one Tigers coach said. “Not just because he could hit, but because he carried himself like someone who’d already been through the fire.”
The $22.025 million qualifying offer now gives Torres two paths: accept the one-year deal and stay with Detroit through 2026, or reject it and test free agency — allowing the Tigers to receive draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.
The decision won’t come easy. Several contending clubs, including the Dodgers and Cubs, are expected to show strong interest if Torres hits the open market. His versatility, age, and playoff experience make him one of the few infielders capable of commanding a multi-year contract north of $100 million.
Still, sources close to the team believe Detroit has the inside track. The Tigers’ clubhouse, led by manager A.J. Hinch and cornerstone players Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, has become a tight-knit environment — one where Torres reportedly feels “at peace.”
“You can see it in how he plays,” Hinch said earlier this year. “He’s not chasing anything anymore. He’s owning who he is.”
For a franchise long haunted by inconsistency and missed opportunities, Torres’ revival has been a beacon. The qualifying offer is more than a financial move — it’s a message that Detroit sees itself as ready to compete again.
President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris has emphasized sustainability over splashy signings since taking the helm, but this move feels different. It’s assertive. It’s emotional. It’s the kind of offer that signals belief not just in a player — but in a vision.
Torres has until mid-November to decide. Whether he stays or goes, his season in Detroit already redefined his story.
He came to Michigan to prove he could still be great. He leaves — or stays — knowing he already did.
As one American League scout put it: “He stopped being the player who disappointed New York. He became the player who inspired Detroit.”
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