Yanks Media Swaying Fans Toward Durbin Over Gleyber & It's Just Not Fair

If you’re a Yankees fan, you’ve undoubtedly heard the buzz around Gleyber Torres and his future with the team. Or perhaps you’ve been caught up in what seems like the Yankees’ latest attempt to convince fans that Caleb Durbin is the next savior at second base. Is it just me, or is this like trying to convince everyone that sparkling water is better than soda—refreshing, maybe, but where’s the kick?

Let’s break down why Gleyber Torres is more important to the New York Yankees than any fall-league standout, no matter how many bases he steals. Torres, who just wrapped up a one-year, $14.2 million deal, has been the Yankees’ steady and occasionally heroic second baseman, adding that much-needed offense to a lineup that sometimes swings like they’re facing ghost pitchers. In 2024, Torres hit .257 with 15 home runs and 63 RBIs—solid numbers for a team that occasionally made scoring runs look as challenging as solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Over his MLB career, Torres has a .265 average with 138 home runs and 441 RBIs. Not exactly numbers you roll your eyes at, unless you’re one of those fans who think Derek Jeter should still be playing shortstop.

“I’ve played here since 2018. I’ve got family here,” Torres said when asked about his future. “I know everybody in the organization, but at the end of the day, it’s a business and I can’t control that. Let’s see what it’s gonna be the next few months.” Ah yes, the classic “It’s a business” line—the baseball equivalent of saying, “I’m about to be traded faster than you can say ‘luxury tax’.”

And shop around he might. Yankees GM Brian Cashman didn’t exactly sound like he was preparing to keep Torres’s locker warm. “I’m not gonna dissect what he’s good at and not as good at,” Cashman said, in a tone that’s supposed to sound noncommittal but comes off more like, “I’m already picturing him in another uniform.” But let’s get one thing straight—while the Yankees might flirt with other options, they’d be fools to ignore what Torres brings to the table. And when October comes around? Gleyber becomes the human embodiment of a magnet, finding his way to first base so often you’d think he was trying to claim squatters’ rights.

Now, let’s talk Caleb Durbin, the 24-year-old who’s been hailed as the “Breakout Prospect of the Year” in the Arizona Fall League after stealing 29 bases in 24 games. Yes, you read that right—Durbin could probably steal a base in flip-flops. But here’s the kicker: Durbin isn’t even ranked in the Yankees’ top 30 prospects. So when Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ resident cheerleader (and occasional strategy saboteur), says, “I think he’s a stud…he’ll play a big role for us this upcoming season,” you have to wonder if he’s just reciting from the team’s PR script. Boone’s endorsement, folks, is about as reassuring as using duct tape to fix a leaky boat.

Durbin’s stats—a .275 average with 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases across Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A—are solid, but let’s not start engraving his name on any trophies just yet. The Yankees’ attempt to sell fans on Durbin as the future feels like when your friend insists their new artisanal energy drink is going to change your life. Sure, there’s potential, but replacing a battle-tested player with flashes of postseason brilliance for an unproven speedster? Risky at best.

Torres, who’s soon to be 28, might look at a short-term deal in free agency, with MLBTradeRumors suggesting a two-year, $36 million contract. That’s pocket change compared to some deals we’ve seen. The Yankees should pounce on this opportunity. Why? Because Torres is that clutch, reliable snack in the pantry—you might take it for granted until it’s gone. Meanwhile, Durbin is like that new kale chip—interesting, trendy, but who knows if anyone will actually enjoy it in the long run?

So, Yankees fans, don’t be fooled by the flashy Fall League headlines. Caleb Durbin might be fast, but he has time. Plus, can he match Torres’ postseason heroics, leadership, and ability to get on base when it matters most? Until proven otherwise, Gleyber Torres is still the real deal, and the Yankees would do well not to let Boone, and his eternally stupid smile make fans believe otherwise.