New York Yankees Neil Walker signing signals the end for Torreyes, not Torres

The Yankees upgraded their depth chart by signing former Met Neil Walker this week. While the move provides the team with a better placeholder until Gleyber Torres is ready, it probably means the end for Ronald Torreyes.

The New York Yankees every move is scrutinized, and sometimes overblown.

But that is to be expected as everything this franchise does is significant. How do they follow-up a trip to game seven of the ALCS? By signing the National League’s reigning MVP and MLB’s home run king, Giancarlo Stanton. So, fair enough.

Their signing of UI Neil Walker is no exception. This will obviously affect the depth chart and deserves to be analyzed; Walker I, after all, a strong candidate to start the season at second.

And it means the Yankees see Gleyber Torres probably starting at Scranton. I think we all recognize that.

But some, such as the NY Post’s Ken Davidoff, have taken it to have far more significant ramifications. He sees in the signing of the career .272/.341/.437 hitter such an impactful move that it might now make the Yankees more willing to trade a top prospect, Gleyber Torres:

So who’s to say? If the Yankees have a chance to get, say, young Tigers ace Michael Fulmer in July, they’d probably have to lead the package with Andujar or Torres to make it happen. Or perhaps they’d have to include one of the pair to get the Rangers to eat some of the money owed veteran Cole Hamels, especially now that they gave Walker $4 million with another $500,000 attainable in incentives.

The long shadow of Walker makes Torres look so small by comparison, Mr. Davidoff compares him to other, former prospects:

Stuff happens, though. A year ago at this time, the Yankees had zero interest in trading outfielder Dustin Fowler or pitcher James Kaprielian. Then both suffered major injuries, and both got packaged alongside Jorge Mateo in the trade-deadline deal for Oakland’s Sonny Gray.

Signing Neil Walker has seismically shifted the Yankees outlook and landscape.

Well, Maybe

Now, some naysayers might have significant differences in perspective. The first instance, some would note that Torres is only 21, while Walker is 32. That gives the Yankees control of Torres for the next seven years; Walker is signed for one.

Similarly, they might note that Torres pedigree, such as being recently rated the number one prospect in baseball and becoming the youngest winner of the Arizona Fall League, etc., makes his potential well beyond that of Neil Walker.

And those of likely future pros Kaprielian and Fowler.

Some might even remember that former Manager Joe Girardi compared Torres to a young Miguel Cabrera. And Joe would know as he coached a then-23-year old Miguel Cabrera with the Marlins back in 2006.

Also, Mr. Davidoff sees Brandon Drury as such an upgrade over Miguel Andujar that the latter is now destined to spend the entire season at Triple-A.

Gleyber Torres, who has endured a rough Grapefruit League, will play every day at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — alongside Miguel Andujar, who saw his path to the majors get blocked last month when the Yankees traded for veteran third baseman Brandon Drury.

But Drury is only 25 with two years of MLB experience, and he is still more promise than production. This is not exactly like the Yankees added Graig Nettles.

As much as I respect Mr. Davidoff, I tend to think his reaction here is a bit out of proportion.

Just a Bit

Neil Walker has no impact on the long-range plans for Gleyber Torres. And while it is increasingly likely he starts the season in the minors; a strong final two weeks could change that. But either way, Torres is going to be the Yankees second baseman this year.

Mr. Davidoff made this prediction:

I’ll bet on Walker being the primary second baseman by the end of April.

I can be no less bold. Therefore, I predict that Torres will be the starting second baseman by the end of May, with Andujar over at third.

But there are practical and essential ramifications to the move. Starting shortstop and first base are the only two infield positions locked up. That leaves starters at second and third, and back-ups all the way around.

There is also a chance that adding Walker impacts first base. The Yankees like a utility player who can man first and a corner outfield spot; both Tyler Austin and Billy McKinney can do so. But the team has a ton of outfielders already, and Walker can cover first.

So, this move might mean the end of a crossover player, keeping infielders in and outfielder outs. I still think the allure of the type of bat Austin and McKinney bring might be too big of a temptation, but it is a possible outcome.

Four for the Yankees

However, for now, we will assume there are eight players for four spots: Two starters and two back-ups. And the candidates are Walker, Torres, Andujar, Drury, Austin, McKinney, Tyler Wade and Ronald Torreyes.

The third is the easiest to sort out.

If Drury wins the competition, Andujar will go to Triple-A for a short while until he becomes the everyday third baseman. His bat is as ready for a long look in the majors as any young player’s; the Yankees will start that look no later than May.

When that happens, Drury will likely be cut, traded, or relegated to back up. He’s a good player, but Andujar is younger and hits for both average and power.

Second, though, is more muddled.

Torres has been pressing, but he is no more going to be traded than I am to win the second base job. He will likely head to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for a few weeks until he has his first big offensive explosion. The Yankees will insert him in the line-up during that time and he, and the team will not look back.

Until then, the odds have to favor Walker to win the Yankees second base bag, with Tyler Wade the back-up. And that puts Ronald Torreyes back in the minors.

There is a chance that the Yankees eschew both McKinney and Austin, which would open the door for Torreyes. But, again, their bats and Ellsbury’s health put the odds against that.