According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Gio Urshela has signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. He missed the remainder of the 2023 season due in June to a pelvic fracture. While he didn’t need surgery it made it difficult for him to return to the Los Angeles Angels. Now, Urshela is on a prove it deal with the Tigers. This will allow him to show that he is good at the plate and with his glove when healthy.
Gio Urshela Lands in Dertroit
The 31-year-old was acquired in an offseason trade from the Minnesota Twins. Urshela was coming off a great season in Minnesota, hitting .285/.338/.429 for a wRC+ of 119 while providing solid defense at third base. He was set to make a projected $9.2 million through arbitration in his final season before hitting free agency (hence the Twins trading him to the Angels). Urshela eventually went to a hearing with the Angels coming out victorious, making $8.4 million in 2023 instead of his desired pay.
The trade made sense for the Angels. Los Angeles often fields a roster with plenty of star power yet they continue to lack depth and complimentary pieces to make them more competitive. They opted to fill multiple roles by signing versatile players like Urshela, Brandon Drury and Hunter Renfroe. The plan worked out quite well until things went south for the Angels.
Remaining Third Base on the Market
The free agent infield class is getting thinner as the offseason continues. Third baseman Matt Chapman remains at the top of the group as there aren’t many other true regulars trending toward free agency. Jeimer Candelario signed with the Cincinnati Reds while Whit Merrifield signed with the Phildelphia Phillies as he is entering his age-35 campaign. Amed Rosario inked a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week. He was the top utility option as he hit .263/.305/.378 in 142 contests with the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers.
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