Second baseman Gleyber Torres divulged Saturday that the New York Yankees did not offer him a contract in free agency before he decided to sign with the Detroit Tigers this week.

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Torres said:

"After the World Series, I got a lot of phone calls from other teams and just focused to get an opportunity in another place. I feel like I have to play where somebody wants to give the best for me, and I just want to be available to do the best for the team.

"I've got great friends there, great communication with the entire organization. I feel proud of myself for being with the Yankees for seven years, but now I'm with Detroit and just really happy they gave me the opportunity to play next year. I think they have other priorities and I'm not on the list. I'm good."

After being a key contributor with the Yankees for seven seasons from 2018 to 2024, Torres agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Tigers on Friday, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

New York acquired Torres from the Chicago Cubs in 2016 as part of a deal that sent closer Aroldis Chapman to the Windy City.

Torres established himself as one of the top prospects in baseball and was one of the best offensive middle infielders in the game during his first two seasons with the Yanks in 2018 and 2019.

The Venezuela-born righty was named an All-Star and finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018 when he slashed .271/.340/.480 with 24 home runs and 77 RBI.

Torres followed that up with the best season of his career in 2019 when he hit .278/.337/.535 with a career-high 38 homers, 90 RBI and 96 runs scored.

While Torres has not come close to replicating those numbers since then, he has remained a strong source of power at the second base position, hitting 24 home runs in 2022 and 25 long balls in 2023.

Last season, Torres had a slash line of .257/.330/.378 with 15 homers, 63 RBI and 80 runs, but he was especially good after being moved into the leadoff spot, as he hit .292 after the All-Star break.

Torres also performed well during the Yankees' run to the World Series last season, slashing .241/.348/.397 with two home runs and eight RBI in 14 playoff games.

The Bronx Bombers lost superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency this offseason, but they have been busy ever since, signing starting pitcher Max Fried and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and acquiring closer Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger in trades.

Torres' departure leaves the Yankees with an obvious hole at either second base or third base depending on where manager Aaron Boone plans to deploy Jazz Chisholm in 2025.

Alex Bregman, Ha-Seong Kim, Jorge Polanco, Whit Merrifield, Brendan Rodgers and Yoán Moncada are among the top free agents still available at those positions, plus third baseman Nolan Arenado could potentially be had in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

As for Torres, he joins a Tigers team that surprised many by going 86-76, making the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and reaching the American League Division Series.

Detroit lacks a superstar hitter, but Torres' arrival gives the Tigers a solid core along with outfielder Riley Greene and infielder Colt Keith, plus reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.