Torres would consider hometown discount, but extension talks still haven’t happened

TAMPA — While leaner versions of Giancarlo Stanton and Carlos Rodón have grabbed attention at Yankees camp, another member of the team also showed up with a new look.

Gleyber Torres rocked a mustache for the first few days of spring training, sparking a few funny comments and social media posts. But with team photo day scheduled for Wednesday, Torres came to George M. Steinbrenner Field with a bare upper lip.

“I’m not prepared yet to see myself with a mustache all year long in every ballpark,” Torres said, adding that he’s a little superstitious and has had success without the ’stache. “Maybe during the season I’ll just let it grow out.”

Torres didn’t want to appear any different on scoreboards across the major leagues. This time next year, he might not have a choice.

An impending free agent, Torres may have to take team photos in another uniform next spring. He’s a Yankee for now after another offseason of trade rumors, but he and the club have not discussed an extension.

“He’s our second baseman for this year,” Brian Cashman said last week. “We haven’t had any conversations about anything past that.”

Torres was aware of the general manager’s comments, but the 27-yearold is not taking any issue with the Yankees’ approach. He saw the team extend former teammates Luis Severino and Aaron Hicks, and those contracts didn’t work out.

“I don’t blame [Cashman], and also, I don’t blame the organization,” Torres said. “Unfortunately, the past couple years, we got a couple extensions like Sevy and also Hicksy. Unfortunately, they got injuries.

“We never think they’re gonna call us and get an extension because we know what’s happened in the past. And I don’t blame them. … If I have a really good year and I put up really good numbers, I think we can get a conversation.”

Torres noted that Aaron Judge didn’t sign an extension with the Yankees, but he’s still in pinstripes (Judge did get an offer, however).

Torres and his agent haven’t engaged the Yankees about an extension. They’d rather the club come to them, as the infielder is certainly hoping for a longterm deal.

“I don’t want to leave here. I feel at home right now,” Torres told reporters. “I want to be a Yankee for life.”

In a separate follow-up with the Daily News, Torres didn’t dismiss the possibility of giving the Yankees a discount.

“I don’t know,” he initially said. “If at some point during spring training we got a conversation, for sure. Yeah, we can discuss whatever thing is available.”

Torres is open to starting those conversations during spring training. However, he’d like to focus on playing once the season starts. Cashman said “who knows” when asked if extension talks could happen at some point this year.

“Let’s see what happens after the season,” Torres said.

In the meantime, Torres is trying to “control what I can control,” part of his effort to have a successful walk year.

He’s been a Yankee since 2016, when the team acquired him as a Cubs prospect in the Aroldis Chapman trade. Torres has been a productive, if inconsistent, hitter since debuting in 2018, earning two All-star nods while totaling a .267/.334/.454 slash line, 123 home runs, 378 RBI and a 116 WRC+.