Gleyber Torres consulted his close friend and godfather of his son, Gio Urshela, before signing with the Detroit Tigers.Urshela, who played for the Tigers in 2024, provided Torres with insights into the team’s clubhouse culture and potential.Torres is having an All-Star season and credits the Tigers’ positive environment and manager A.J. Hinch’s leadership.
When Gleyber Torres learned the Detroit Tigers were interested in signing him in free agency, he called one person first — one of his closest friends.
He wanted to gather as much information as possible before making a decision. He needed someone he could trust with the future of his MLB career.
He called Gio Urshela.
“I really believe in Gio,” Torres said Wednesday, June 25. “We have been friends for many years. He’s also the godfather of my son. Whatever advice he has for me, I’m going to take advantage of it.”
That phone call helped shape the latest chapter of Torres’ career after seven seasons with the New York Yankees: signing a one-year, $15 million deal with the Tigers, becoming a lock for the American League All-Star team at second base and positioning himself to command a nine-figure contract.
There’s a chance Torres would’ve signed elsewhere if not for Urshela’s advice.
“He explained everything to me,” Torres said.
Torres, 28, had multiple offers in free agency, but he was looking for two things: money on a one-year contract to bet on himself and a legitimate chance to win the World Series.
The Tigers offered $15 million.
And Urshela told him the Tigers could deliver the championship ring.
“We talked a lot about it,” said Urshela, a 33-year-old third baseman who is in his first season with the Athletics. “He asked me a lot of things. I told him stuff like the way they work here, the way they prepare for games, the talent they have.”
“I got different offers,” Torres said, “but between the Tigers and other teams, I think the Tigers had the best offer. The money was there, but I was looking for a competitive team. I really believed Detroit was the complete package, so I signed the deal.”
Urshela knew what Torres needed to hear about the Tigers because he experienced it firsthand.
He was on the Tigers’ roster for most of the 2024 season, including Aug. 11, 2024 — the beginning of the magical 31-11 run to clinch a spot in the postseason. He was designated for assignment Aug. 16, but that didn’t sour his experience in Detroit.
Since Aug. 11, the Tigers have a 83-44 record — a .653 winning percentage that would translate to 106 wins over 162 games.
“When you have a really good clubhouse that’s young and together, I think that’s a big difference,” said Torres, an All-Star for the Yankees in 2018 and 2019. “That’s the conversation he had with me. That’s why I picked Detroit.”
The relationship between Torres and Urshela dates back to the 2017 season, when they faced each other at the Triple-A level — Torres with the Yankees, Urshela with the Cleveland Guardians. They knew of each other from social media, but they didn’t connect in person until that year.
Later, they played together for the Yankees from 2019-21.
These days, Torres and Urshela are co-owners of a baseball facility in Tampa, Florida
“He’s a gamer,” Urshela said of Torres. “He likes to win. He saw what the Tigers did last year. He’s played in the playoffs a lot with the Yankees. He likes to win and go to the playoffs.”
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Here’s what Urshela extolled about the Tigers: the young talent on the roster, the selfless culture in the clubhouse, the short- and long-term goals set by president of baseball operations Scott Harris, the way manager A.J. Hinch prepares players for success and even how well the Tigers treat players behind the scenes, including the upgraded team plane.
So far, the experience has lived up to the hype.
“Everything is so good,” Torres said. “What he told me is better in person. I’m glad I had that conversation with him.”
The Tigers are gaining traction as a desirable destination for players — built on a culture of development, a first-class experience and a commitment to winning.
It has already left a strong impression on Torres.
“I felt comfortable from the first day,” Torres said. “If every free agent has the opportunity to come here, they’re going to be glad. This is a winning team, and we always want to compete.”
In 2025, Torres isn’t just along for the ride.
He is driving the Tigers’ success as the best team in baseball, joining forces with elite pitcher Tarik Skubal and star outfielder Riley Greene. His .384 on-base percentage — a product of 40 walks compared to 36 strikeouts — ranks 11th among qualified MLB players.
Torres enjoys playing for Hinch.
“A.J. is a great manager and also a great person,” Torres said. “How he handles everything is really special. How we play during the season is no surprise. Every coach does his part. And A.J. commands everything really well during the game. The way he matches every bullpen guy and every pinch-hitter is really impressive.”
Not only has Torres emerged as a leader by example, guiding Javier Báez through a career resurgence by giving him tips about opposing pitchers, but he has also been the top-performing AL second baseman, hitting .280 with seven home runs and an .803 OPS in 68 games.
The Tigers have Urshela to thank for Torres’ presence, both on and off the field.
All it took was one phone call.
“He’s always been a really good player,” Urshela said. “He’s a really good friend. We always talk — pretty much every day. I’m really happy for him with the way he’s playing this year.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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