New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone clears the air about Gleyber Torres amid shortstop's rampant trade speculations

New York Yankees' All-Star shortstop Gleyber Torres has been at the center of trade rumors as the team gears up for the upcoming baseball season. Torres, who joined the Yankees as an international free agent in 2016, has voiced his commitment to the team despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Now, during yesterday's first spring training press conference, Aaron Boone fielded questions from reporters about Torres' future with the team.

"What is your outlook for Gleyber going into this year?" asked the reporter to Boone.

To which Aaron responded:

"He had a really good, strong year last year, especially bouncing back from a little bit of a tough year. He had some ups and downs last year, but on balance had a really strong season for us. I feel like excuse me, on both sides of the ball.

"So we have a guy that's got a ton of experience, that's had a lot of success, that's had some bumps in the road along the way too. But that's still a young man. And I expect him to be hopefully a really impactful player in the middle of our lineup, continuing to build off of what was a strong season for him last year."

"Aaron Boone gives his outlook on Gleyber Torres for 2023." - YES Network

When the reporter counter-questioned Aaron, asking whether he was considering Gleyber to play as a second baseman, Boone mentioned that he sees Torres in a "regular everyday-ish role.”

Torres has experience at second base along with playing shortstop and could provide the team with added flexibility in the infield.

Gleyber Torres stopped checking his social media to avoid seeing his trade rumors

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates the win with teammate Gleyber Torres #25 after the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. The New York Yankees defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees have been actively pursuing changes to their roster, making a series of high-profile acquisitions over the offseason, and Gleyber Torres' name surfaced in trade rumors.

Torres claimed he stopped checking his social media accounts around November because of the trade speculations that plagued him throughout the offseason. Finally, in January, by agreeing to a $9.95 million deal, Gleyber and the Yankees avoided going to arbitration.

It does not, however, ensure that the 26-year-old will play for the Yankees the entire season.

"Four Yankees are on the World Baseball Classic rosters that got released today." - Talkin' Yanks

For now, Torres is all set to represent Venezuela in WBC 2023 and will soon leave the Yankees camp.