WASHINGTON -- It was a big offseason shift for an established player like Gleyber Torres and his family to move to Detroit after seven seasons in pinstripes in New York.
In the early returns for 2025, Torres' bold move has been rewarded.
For the third time in his career and first with the Tigers, the veteran second baseman is headed to the All-Star Game because fans voted him in.
2025 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard
• July 15, 8 p.m. ET (Watch on FOX)
• Special events and ticketing info
• All-Star Game starters
The 28-year-old has embraced his new city and has made a conscious choice to learn about Detroit and honor its fans. Now he gets to show pride for his new team as a starter for the American League.
"Before signing, I really got interested in the city, how [the Tigers have] been doing,” Torres said Thursday before he went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the Tigers' 11-7 loss to the Nationals at Nationals Park. “I know how they played last year. I know a little bit about the NFL team and also the hockey team. The city's [interest] with the team, the fans show really, really good support. It's going to be the moment to represent Detroit, represent the fans at the All-Star Game and keep doing the right work for the second half, because as a team, we have to finish strong."
The Tigers believed Torres -- whom they signed to a one-year, $15 million contract on Dec. 27 -- would be a valuable addition to a club that surged into the postseason before ultimately falling to the Guardians in Game 5 of the AL Division Series.
"We expected [Torres] to be a starting All-Star second baseman for the American League. We knew it all the way,” manager A.J. Hinch joked Thursday. “But seriously, we did feel like we were getting a good player at a good time to be able to get good performance out of him.
“The way it's played out is obviously special for him, and it's special for us, because he bet on himself [and] came on a one-year deal to a young team as a veteran presence. We had to move some people around to accommodate that. Both parties worked hard to establish this relationship to where he trusted us, and we felt like we were going to get something by giving him the opportunity.”
Torres will join teammates Javier Báez and Riley Greene at the All-Star Game, after the outfield duo also earned the fan vote. The trio is hopeful left-hander Tarik Skubal will be at Truist Park for the festivities as well, though the Tigers ace must wait for the results of the player vote.
"It's been an honor,” Torres said. “It's been pretty special. Especially this year, [to get the] opportunity to play with a special team. The All-Star Game is really special. I really enjoy it. Báez and Greene [are going] with me so far. Hopefully, more people can come later. To go there and represent Detroit, it's going to be special."
Torres’ numbers to begin this season are one of the many reasons the talented Tigers sit atop the AL Central as the first half winds down. He has a .282 average, nine homers and 44 RBIs in 75 games this season. By comparison, Torres was hitting just .221 with six homers and 26 RBIs with the Yankees after 75 games in 2024.
“His performance has been exceptional,” Hinch said. “He still has ways that he can get better. We are going to continue to push him. But I applaud him for the openness to join a new team after so many years being in New York and knowing one organization at the Major League level. To come here to a perfect fit was a good decision by all."