Gleyber Torres already stuck it to Yankees during his Tigers introductory presser

If there was any doubt as to whether Gleyber Torres had fully moved on from the New York Yankees, there certainly isn't anymore.

The second baseman, who recently signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers in free agency, showed up to his introductory press conference Friday sporting a new look – one that hadn't been seen throughout his seven-year MLB career with the Yankees: he had grown a full beard.

The Yankees famously (or infamously?) do not allow their players to have beards or long hair. Though Torres didn't mention the rule specifically, his new look sent a loud and clear message: he has put his seven seasons with the Yankees in the rearview mirror.

Gleyber Torres already stuck it to Yankees by growing beard for Tigers introductory presser

On top of the fact that the Yankees' no-beard rule is unbelievably restrictive and outdated, Torres' new look seemed to be an indicator of his feelings toward his former team. While the two-time All-Star was appreciative for his seven seasons in the Bronx, he revealed during to the media that his former team didn't extend him an offer after the season when he hit free agency.

“I didn't really have any offer from ,” Torres said. “After the World Series, I got a lot of phone calls from other teams and just focused to get an opportunity in another place. I feel like I have to play where somebody wants to give the best for me, and I just want to be available to do the best for the team."

After a rookie season that saw him earn his first All-Star nod and finish third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, Torres had an up-and-down tenure with the Yankees. The best season of his career came in 2019, when he hit .278 and smashed a career-high 38 home runs.

Torres had a poor showing in his walk year in 2024, leading the league in errors (18) and slashing just .257/.330/.378. He opted to bet on himself and sign a one-year deal with the Tigers, eager to improve his performance from last season and secure a bigger pay day (with more tenure) when he hits free agency again in 2025.

The Tigers want to help Torres achieve that goal. In return, Torres wants to help the Tigers achieve their goal of winning an AL Central for the first time in more than a decade. And when a player eager to prove himself joins a young team that is hungry to win, it sure feels like a match made in baseball heaven.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals