Yankees mailbag: How Gleyber Torres can become perennial MVP contender

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Yankees. Let’s say Gleyber Torres plays for the Yankees through his 37-year-old season, which is the better Gleyber …

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Yankees.

Let’s say Gleyber Torres plays for the Yankees through his 37-year-old season, which is the better Gleyber — .315 average with 27 homers or .290 average with 37 home runs per season? — Henry W. Katz

Considering Torres is a .275 hitter with 62 homers in two big league seasons, the Yankees would gladly accept either set of numbers because that productivity from a middle infielder is very valuable. And if Torres, 23, proves he can play shortstop until he is 30 and deliver those offensive stats, he will be in multiple AL MVP discussions.

Part of the reason the Yankees didn’t show much interest in retaining Didi Gregorius was because they think Torres can handle short and they can play DJ LeMahieu at second.

How difficult is Gerrit Cole’s transition going to be in New York? How do the Yankees prepare him for a new pitching coach and just playing in New York? — Edward L. Papera

That’s always the biggest question when any player, never mind one that arrives with a nine-year, $324 million contract, surfaces in The Bronx. For Mike Mussina, Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia, New York didn’t make a dent in them. No so much for A.J. Burnett, who had success in the first year and problems later. Jeff Weaver never lived up to expectations and Kevin Brown was awful and miserable.

In an abbreviated spring training, Cole worked well with first-year pitching coach Matt Blake who can learn from Cole who craves information and communication.

The Yankees go above and beyond helping players acclimate to New York, but in the end it is up to the player to avoid being overwhelmed by performing well.

Looking back, do you think the Yankees were wise in signing [Luis] Severino and [Aaron] Hicks to long-term contracts, considering how often they go on the injured list? — Mike Stanley

Hicks has been on the injured list 11 times since starting a big league career with the Twins in 2015 and will make it a dozen this year due to Tommy John surgery.

As for Severino, this trip to the IL after Tommy John surgery in February is his third stint since 2016 and by far the most serious.

The switch-hitting Hicks signed a seven-year, $70 million deal after the 2018 season when he established career-highs in runs scored (90), home runs (27), RBIs (79) and games played (137) as a 28-year-old. And he provided elite defense in center field.

Considering Hicks was limited to 59 games last year due to two stints on the IL and had Tommy John surgery on his right (throwing) elbow after the season, the second guessers are hard to argue with.

Prior to inking a four-year deal for $40 million early in spring training of 2019, Severino went 33-14 with a 3.18 ERA in 63 starts in 2017-18. His 384 ²/₃ innings were ace-like, as was striking out 450 and walking just 97. At 24, the Yankees believed the investment was worth it.

Of course, Severino appeared in three games last year due to right rotator cuff inflammation and a lat problem and will be out at least until the beginning of the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery. Again, the second-guessers are hard to disagree with.

However, remember Hicks and Severino were still young and coming off impressive seasons, so it is also understandable why the Yankees signed them to those deals.

Since team owners are getting no income from the canceled games, how are they paying bills — player salaries, stadium rentals, etc.? — Ed Flahive

Outside of the $170 million package agreed on between MLB and the Players’ Association, players don’t receive their salaries before regular season games are played. Veterans are getting $5,000 a day until late May when that package stops. Some teams have cut employees’ salaries and at the end of this month expect more salary cuts along with possible furloughs and layoffs.

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What do you think about playing seven-inning games when the season begins? Less wear and tear on the pitchers, bullpen and players if they start playing a lot of doubleheaders in the Arizona heat. — Buddy Buder

I understand there won’t be a whole lot of normal if a season is held and everything should be considered, but seven inning games are for high schools. Big league games are played for nine innings, and the product would be diminished if two frames are shaved off.

The wear-and-tear issue could be avoided by rosters expanding to 30 or more players. As for the Arizona project, that is not likely to happen.

What do you think of (Giancarlo) Stanton, (Aaron) Hicks and (Clint) Frazier for (Mike) Trout? Then sign (Mookie) Betts for left field — Steve

Angels owner Arte Moreno isn’t a rich man because he made bad business decisions prior to buying the club.

Trading Trout, who has a no-trade clause and is owed $325 million over the next 10 seasons, would make Albert Pujols’ 10-year, $240 million deal, which has two seasons remaining, look smart. Hicks’ injury history and questions about Frazier’s ceiling wouldn’t be attractive to the Angels.

I don’t think any package the Yankees could offer the Angels would be enough to pry Trout out of Southern California.

The only way the Yankees show interest in Betts as a free agent before the 2021 season is if Stanton opts out of a contract that has eight years and $244 million remaining.

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