*Photo from Sports Injury Central*
Another infielder was in order for the motor city. INF Gio Urshela and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one year, $1.5 million contract, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The Tigers have confirmed the signing.
The contract has another $500,000 available in bonuses based on plate appearances for Urshela. He provides the Tigers with another option at 3rd base, where Matt Vierling was projected to start, as well as the ability to play shortstop and first base. He also played one game at second base in 2023.
Detroit president of baseball operations Scott Harris said of Urshela that "When Gio is healthy, he does three things really well: He makes a ton of contact, he hits the ball hard and he plays above-average defense at third base. Those are the three main elements of why we targeted Gio. We're thrilled to add him to this group."
Last season, Urshela played for the Los Angeles Angels after the Minnesota Twins traded him there. He posted a .299/.329/.374 slash line with a 91 OPS+, hitting two home runs and 8 doubles with 24 RBI's in 62 games. His season ended in June due to a fractured pelvis.
Before his season ending injury, Urshela amassed 6 defensive runs saved at 3rd base, tied for 6th most among 3rd basemen for the whole season. The Tigers will be Urshela's 4th team in as many years, having played for the New York Yankees, Twins, and Angels in the last 3 seasons.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch said of Urshela that "I think as an offensive player, he’s a contributor. We saw it up close and personal a couple years ago in Minnesota, that he’s a tough out. He makes contact, he puts up good at-bats, he gets hits, the things you like as an offensive player. He crushes lefties, which is a good sign, but he handles himself against righties. He’s been a complete player, so I think that adding that type of player at the beginning of camp is pretty awesome."
Urshela has played for the Yankees, Twins, Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, and Cleveland Guardians in 8 major league seasons since debuting in 2015. He has a .277/.322/.423 slash line with a 103 OPS+ to his name, hitting 114 doubles and 64 home runs to go with 280 RBI's in 664 games. He has a .211/.247/.342 slash line with 3 home runs and 8 RBI's in 22 playoff games.
With the Tigers, Urshela adds more depth across the infield. Vierling, Javier Baez, Colt Keith, and Spencer Torkelson are the projected starters, with Andy Ibanez, Ryan Kreidler, and utility player Zach McKinstry also in the mix for playing time off the bench.
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