Tigers Rumors: Yankees emerge as trade candidate after Gleyber Torres signing

Gleyber Torres left the New York Yankees in free agency and signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers last week, but the transactions involving these two American League teams this offseason may not end there.

With Torres out of the picture, the Yankees now have a hole to fill in their infield, either at second or third base. Jazz Chisholm will take over at one, and New York has another internal option in DJ LeMahieu who can theoretically take over the other. However, at 36 years old with a lengthy injury history and declining production since he won the American League batting title in 2020, LeMahieu is not someone the Yankees have fully committed to using as an everyday starter in 2025.

Chris Kirschner of The Athletic (subscription required) suggests that it might be worth it for the Yankees to explore the trade market for LeMahieu this offseason, which could create a possible contingency plan for the Tigers in the event that they don't land free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.

Tigers Rumors: If Detroit can't land Alex Bregman in free agency, Yankees could be a potential trade partner

The Tigers are reportedly "all in" on Bregman, though the two sides remain far apart on contract value. The Tigers, simply by being in the mix for Bregman, are in the market for a third baseman. If they bring Bregman aboard, it could squeeze others off the roster, which is where the Yankees would come in.

In his proposal, Kirschner suggests the Tigers could send utility player Matt Vierling, who is one of Detroit's internal options to play third base, to New York. Given how Detroit has valued Zach McKinstry, it seems Vierling could be the odd man out given his escalating salary.

Whatever the case, if the Tigers aren't able to land Bregman in free agency, they need to start getting serious about developing a solid Plan B at third base. Because what they have isn't the answer right now. Then they can worry about trades later.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals