The Mets and Yankees are among the teams interested in third baseman Gio Urshela, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic.
Urshela, of course, is no stranger to New York after enjoying a breakout season with the Yankees back in 2019 and spending three seasons in the Bronx. Since that breakout season, Urshela has established himself as an above-average regular in the infield with a .291/.335/.452 slash line good for a 115 wRC+ over the past five seasons with the Yankees, Twins, and Angels. Urshela has paired that above average offensive production with roughly average defense around the infield dirt, where he’s played primarily third base along with some shortstop and brief cameos at both first and second base.
The infielder’s market has been relatively quiet for most of the offseason to this point. The only potential connection to get any buzz to this point in the winter for Urshela was a recent report of interest from the Blue Jays, though even that comes with the caveat that Toronto’s interest may wane in the wake of the Isiah Kiner-Falefa signing. The relatively quiet market for Urshela’s services could connect back to the infielder’s injury-marred 2023 campaign. While he hit a decent .299/.329/.374 during his time in Anaheim, it’s worth noting the fact that he appeared in just 62 games with the club after his season came to an abrupt end in early June thanks to a pelvic fracture. Given Urshela’s downturn in power production as an Angel and the significant injury the 32-year-old is recovering from, it would be understandable if clubs viewed his free agency with some trepidation.
Even in spite of the question marks surrounding Urshela and his injury-plagued 2023 campaign, he still stands as one of the better infield options on the market this offseason. The unusually thin positional market has been hit particularly hard with regards to available infielders, with Urshela standing as one of the best players available behind third baseman Matt Chapman. The likes of Whit Merrifield, Tim Anderson, Eduardo Escobar and Adam Frazier make up the next tier of players available, all of whom Urshela rates relatively favorably in comparison to.
Given that reality, it’s no surprise that the Mets would have at least some level of interest in Urshela’s services. Switch-hitting youngster Ronny Mauricio appeared to be in line for a shot to be the club’s regular third baseman in 2024, but the 22-year-old suffered an ACL tear while playing winter ball earlier this month, leaving the club with only Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Joey Wendle as options for regular starts at the hot corner entering next year. Both Baty and Vientos have struggled offensively in the majors and have questions about their defensive ability at third, while Wendle had previously been ticketed for a utility role in Queens next year. The addition of Urshela to the club’s mix would take pressure off of Baty and Vientos while given the Mets a right-handed complement to Wendle who is similarly versatile on defense.
Urshela’s fit with the Yankees is far less clear. With Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and Anthony Volpe all entrenched at first base, second base, and shortstop respectively, that leaves third base as the only uncertain infield position in the Bronx as things stand. While that’s Urshela’s native position, the club nonetheless has veteran DJ LeMahieu penciled in as the everyday third baseman as well as youngsters like Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera who could step into the club’s infield mix in the event of an injury. Even on the heels of a relative down season by LeMahieu’s standards, the addition of Urshela is not a clear upgrade over the 35-year-old veteran and would likely only serve to clog up the club’s infield mix further. Of course, it’s possible that a trade of a player such as Torres could free up space on the dirt and make a reunion between the Yankees and Urshela more plausible.
Sammon’s report also suggests that the two New York clubs are not the only ones with interest in Urshela’s services, though it does not name any other specific clubs. It’s at least possible Toronto still has interest in adding Urshela even after signing Kiner-Falefa, but other speculative fits for the infielder’s services include the Cubs, Mariners, and Brewers. Chicago currently figures to utilize some combination of Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, and Christopher Morel at third base, while the Brewers and Mariners appear likely to turn to Andruw Monasterio and Luis Urias respectively at the hot corner.
The Usual Suspects.
I wouldn’t mind Gio signing with the Cubs, he’s a better short-term investment than Chapman, and much cheaper.
Yeah if you believe Shaw can play 3b that makes sense. Cubs could look at Hoskins.
Urshela’s best friend in the world is Francisco Lindor, expect Gio to sign with the Mets.
Yeah and Kris Bryant’s best friend in the world is Bryce Harper. That’s why he signed with Philadelphia a few years ago, right? I have seen this argument being made about quite a few players over the years and as far as I can remember it has never worked out. Players sign with the team that offers the best contract with the terms they are looking for.
@Rob Schumann- Hey man I hope your right and the Yankees offer him the best contract, and sign him as a utility player.
With the limited options available in FA, I sincerely doubt Urshela will chose to be a utility player. He will take a starting 3B offer. No one is going to give him a contract thru the end of his career. His playing time will determine his next contract.
Not bad for a bench option, but Cashman & co really need to make a significant move or I’m convinced the Soto acquisition was nothing more then a ticket-selling gimmick. They cannot honestly think they are competitive with the top-level teams as they sit….
Still need a legit #2 starter
They traded Michael King unfortunately
You have no idea as to how King would follow up this year to last years run when he started…..declaring him a bonafide #2 is a bit of a stretch especially since he most likely would have had a pretty strict innings limit given his relief innings and his injury issues the previous year…….
They have a legit #2 in Rodon. Unfortunately, they probably won’t get more than 5 starts out of him. Shota Imanaga is the pitcher they need to sign. He approaches pitching like Kuroda used to and should be a solid #3 workhorse. The Yankees need to revamp their strength and conditioning department, not sign any more big name free agents. The injuries is what did the Yankees in last year.
@Hey Gamble, how bout Dylan Cease?
Not interested in cease 99. I want to know what a burns package and what a Bieber package would look like.
Gamble why not? I got the perfect trade offer for Cease for both sides. Burnes is going to be really expensive. Yanks shouldn’t give up Spencer Jones or Jasson Dominguez for Burnes. Everson Pereira, Chase Hampton, and catcher Ben Rice for 2 years of Dylan Cease. Matt Blake can definitely correct him. I wouldn’t touch Bieber, unless you take Hampton out of that package and put Schmidt in it. What about taking a flyer on Trevor Bauer at this point? Lmk
Pereria, Hampton and Rice does make it intriguing I gotta say. Bro, if that would get it done I’m in. New year, new me. You convinced me, for real.
And I hope the Bauer thing was a joke
No Gamble, I was just thinking a minor league deal as far as Bauer so no big risk really. That last chic he was hanging out with was totally bonkers, and admits was just after his money. She basically just tried to ruin his life with all her lying. We’ll see.
99 is Bauer even able to play? Honestly I just sorta figured he was done forever and forgot about him
Yeah Gamble, Bauer is all ready to return to the majors. We can definitely use him as a #3 or #4 in are rotation, the talent is obviously there, the only major question bro is: Can Trevor behave himself? I guess there is only one way to find out. Lol.
I’m certainly no one to weigh in on anyone else’s behavior. Once he got to LA I honestly didn’t pay that much attention. I remember he got some ridiculous big $$ short years deal and I don’t remember anyone complaining about his performance.
Hey Gamble I guess nobody complained about his performance, except this lady with all these false accusations against him, she was definitely a gold digger. She admitted to doing so also. Smh. Can you imagine?
All they gotta do is say it and you’re ruined regardless of the truth.
They also need a #5, 6, and 7. They have no depth. King, Brito, Vasquez, Sevy, German – 5 SP right there they lost that each made multiple starts for them this past season. Can we really rely on Rodon and Nestor making 30 starts each?
@perksy I’m not confident about 60 starts combined for Nestor or rodon but they have guys that can step in for a few starts. I’m fine with Schmidt at the 5. What they don’t have is a true #2. Hello moto was the answer and if 2.5 per over 10 years is what kept them from signing him then that’s a real shame
Persky- what about Trevor Bauer for the rotation? Aren’t the Dodgers still paying him in 2024? Lmk.
I understand why the Soto deal was made but it left the Yankees needing a starter just like King and it left the Padres needing 2 starting lefty hitting outfielders.
None of the fits look good. It is still early enough to make more moves, but the NYY OF is Verdugo, Grisham, Soto, Judge, and at some point, Dominguez.
And only two SPs that you can pencil in for 150 innings.
There’s still plenty of middle of the rotation guys available that the Yankees could target.
I think they’d be wise to have a reunion with Gio, though. In case of any injuries he’s a versatile defender, and he’s easily at least an above average regular.
Plus, they did a great job adding Verdugo and Soto, but they could use another solid bat to extend their lineup, help extend innings, and a guy that can help the bottom of their lineup turn it back over to their power bats.
If you can obtain consistent 7,8, and 9 guys, that helps set the table for your best hitters and allows your #2/#3 guys to hit with runners on base.
Obviously, it is common sense, but your big hitters are going to slump from time to time. Having a consistent bottom of your order helps win games and helps fight against those slumps.
Way too many focus on their team’s 1-6 guys, but don’t nearly pay enough attention to the guys that help turn that lineup over.
Depth wins and gets you a card to the dance. Then, once you are in, it is a crapshoot where typically just the hottest team comes away victorious.
Rich, they need another bat? What position is this bat gonna play and who is this bat gonna replace?
They’re not signing/obtaining 7,8,9 bats. They have that already and should obtain 5,6,7 starting pitchers.
Well Joe…..exactly how many teams have pitching staffs that can boast of 4, or even 3 pitchers that have 150+ innings in them…..the Yankees success is linked to their bullpen options that start in the 5th, and go right through the 9th…..every team out there is looking for more pitching……and remember the Rays have been walking the tight wire for years using multiple pitchers who all contribute without a 1,2 and 3 innings horse…..they originated the opener remember……
I hear ya Rock. I just hate rodon as a 2 and I wasn’t sold on Nestor in 22. The pen has been a strength for a long time and I understand it’s becoming 5ip for starters I mean snell just won a Cy young doing it for christ sake I just must be turning into the “back in my day” ahold. Ya know what keeps the rays going? They ain’t afraid, out of necessity, to trade a young, controllable starting pitcher with a 3 year track record to get the next him and another very promising piece or 2. I bet they got 2 players that made an impact for them going as far back as David price
I love King, but we all know he’s gonna get injured.
Pretty good ticket selling gimmick tho imo.
@Yankee Clipper: Since winning sells tickets, you could say that every player acquisition is a ticket-selling gimmick.
And honestly why would Gio come back to the Yankees to take a bench role? They’re not giving him DJL money. He’s good enough to have a starting job and is 32. Go make that cheddar, Gio. I’ll always root for the guy. Replacing Gleyber with him doesn’t make the team better.
Happy New Year!!!
@yc
Imo what the nyy needs badly are solid bench pieces, they have the key guys but for years it seems like they have no one to “backup” when one of the key guys go down. Over the last 20 years I’ve really been following bb the teams that make it to the ws seem to do it because they have a strong bench. Imo if nyy wants to get back to the team everyone hates instead of everyone’s joke they need a good bench. An mlb season is a marathon and you need guys that can fill the gap till the big guys come back
Yeah, but if they sign an actual utility player, Cashman will be a dumpster diver. Good players don’t want to be utility. Utility doesn’t pay. Good bench players are cheaper, and have flaws. Both get criticized in the big markets, but get appreciated and become fan favorites elsewhere. No one expects big things out of Zack Short, but he’s solid defensively everywhere in the IF, and has some pop in his bat. He won’t hit for average, and will K above average. He will keep the team afloat during a short term injury though. But Mets fans call it bottom feeding. In reality, he does a fine job as a bench player, and is happy in the role.
Defensive glove off the bench sure. An everyday bat? No. Gio can’t hit.
The position players are set even if they carry 13. Aside from a surprise trade that involves an everyday 3rd baseman coming in and dj going the other way or a 2nd baseman coming back and Torres going the position players are set.
DJ isn’t hitting either. Torres is hot and cold. 1/2 the Yankees infield would be hitting .200 lol as usual.
Clown
Clipper, we should accept the fact by now that everything they do is just a ticket selling gimmick. and they saw that after last year’s despicable display, season-ticket sales were declining, shrewd as they are, at least when it comes to money, I knew they had to do something. They don’t give a hoot about winning a World Series.
Doc, I hope you’re well and had a great Christmas and New Year. Yeah, I think they formulated which player would drive up ticket sales the most, and given the Dominican population in NYC, they chose him. At first I was hopeful that they were going all-in for ‘24, but I’m starting to see more of the same from Cashman, based on available reports.
Happy new year to you too clipper. I agree. Unfortunately, it’s the same old thing with the Yankees. Doing just enough to stay in it, but they seem to show no interest in getting over there hump for example, as the Dodgers do. Ticket sales rules.
This tells us more about how Brett Baty’s stock has fallen than anything else.
Yeah. I don’t understand the point of this.
Impending trade (of Baty) would be the only thing that makes sense to me. There’s no real reason to keep him at AAA for any length of time. And they already have Wendle.
@MannyBeingMVP It probably tells us the Mets are looking to deal Alonso, although they’ve also realized that the organization under the Wilpons and Cohen wrecked the years in which Baty might have been turned into an adequate fielder.
Urshela still doesn’t make any sense, though, unless the Mets are trading Alonso, since if only 3B and DH are open, you use DH for Vientos and 3B for Baty so that both can get 600 PA in their auditions to be the primary DH on the Mets’ next good team—which will probably be in 2026 or 2027.
Why would you block Baty’s (or Vientos’) audition as a hitter in order to pay Urshela 8m to try to win 77 games instead of 76?
Further, even if you’re keeping Alonso, why would you block one of the young players’ audition for a trade? Their values are already very low—why make it worse by platooning them at DH with Alonso at 1B and Urshela at 3B?
Seems to be useful for both clubs. NYM/Stearns seem to favor the versatile. Tho that team desperately needs a HR threat to protect Alonso
Nice player but pitching pitching and more pitching at this point for the yankees g o and sign Montgomery Hader and another pitcher lorenzen or hicks and call it a day
EXACTLY WHAT THE YANKKES NEED- another player that hits around the Mendoza line.
Huh? He nearly hit 300 last year. Must be a different Mendoza …Urshela’s problem is his power is declining fast and he’s hurt a lot.
They need joc. And 2 more big bats. An ace. And 2 mid relievers.
Joc hit .235, urshela .299 how is it you say the Yankees don’t need another player that hits barely above he Mendoza line while referencing urshela, but go on to suggest that joc who actually hits barely above the Mendoza line is the answer? Either you know nothing about the players you mentioned, your baseball knowledge is very flawed, or you are just a straight up troll.
Joc is done. Horribly one-sided player who can’t even hit anymore. I don’t know why people still daydream about him ??,
Two more big bats? They got Verdugo and Soto. The lineup already looks a million times better. There are no more spots to add hitters, unless you go for a 3B.
Starting pitching is their need, and maybe another reliever. But even the relievers aren’t a huge worry since it is pretty much the same corp as last year (which was very good)
@178iq The Mets will be lucky to finish around the Mendoza line in terms of their winning percentage with Mendoza at the helm. Carlos Mendoza should be cleaning bathrooms, not managing a major league baseball team
Do tell do tell
@LFGMets
If you’ve never cleaned your bathroom, you’re missing out on character building and being responsible for what you leave behind.
And be responsible for what you say and why you say it. I can read the tea leaves and it makes you look small. Carlos Mendoza’s success or failure as big league manager is to be determined on the merits, not your pre-conceived notions. or anyone else’s.
Long Time Fan
LFGMets is a racist troll. The mute button is your friend
If you’ve never cleaned your bathroom, you’re missing out on character building
======================
I did that for a one-week shift when I was 18, for really good money. And the 18 year old me would gladly go back. You have to do what you have to do.
Nothing to be ashamed about. A job is a job.
Gio has always been a good hitter
He became a good hitter after he joined the Yankees.
Yes, because he was a light hitter with Cleveland.
Whit Merrifield should be a higher priority, 3x All Star who can run and hit and has good experience and is pretty durable. If I was the Mets I would prefer someone like him to Urshela.
Merrifield is 3 years older and in decline himself. And probably lot more expensive.
Merrifield is good infield/outfield utility option with speed, but if I’m not mistaken, has no third base experience.
You all should really fix that mute button. It was working before the recent updates.
Unless you are seeking a bench bat why sign the guy who had 2 HRs last year to play full time?
Yeah who needs Giolito when we can sign Gio-Urshela! Stearns once again proves that a Harvard education isn’t all its made out to be. A random homeless guy in the Bronx that can’t even speak english could do a better job then Stearns right now. Take the money and run is Stearns’s motto, 10 million down the drain and soon to be more
The Prodigal son returns
I like him but the Yanks do not need him
Nah, Gio is a nice player, but I hope Cashman is looking at next year and realizing 3b is going to be a real quagmire, and 1b is going to be interesting as well. I’m not optimistic about the future of the two positions and becoming wary of their ability to go the extra mile to sign the proper players.
They should bite the bullet and just sign Chapman. You won’t have to worry about the defense on the left side, help the pitchers out immensely, and you may even see 25-30 bombs from him.
I don’t love him, but I was actually thinking the same. In fact, I edited him out of my original post.
You a music fan?
Yankees need urshela as dj washed up… sign urshela, Monty, Hader, wandy peralta and come on home
With the rate these signings there’s going to be more players then there are seats left
Trade Gleyber for some semblance of a #3 or #4 SP and sign Gio. Let Urshela, LeMahieu, and Peraza battle it out for 2b and 3b. Loser is your utility IF.
Gio loved being a Yankee, who helped him elevate his hitting. His opportunity for playing time, however, is probably better with the Mets.
Happy New Year to all at MLBTR.
The reality of Urshela and the Yankees is that he’s a mediocre stop gap in their minds. He’s truly mediocre for their purposes. He is better than nothing, there are plenty of worse guys out there for the third base position, both defensively and offensively, but he leaves something to be desired. They seem to want to get like 4 extra WAR compared to what Urshela produces.
He’d still be a stop gap. I think 2 years/$20M to 3 years/$42M would be the range, no vesting/team/player options so that it forces the Yankees to find a more satisfactory alternative or hope they develop a prospect in those 3 years or an swing a trade for a A-Rod/Donaldson-esque player more in their prime within 2-3 years.
10 mil a year? For Gio? That’s insane. His everyday glove is worth about 4-5 a year. His bat is worth squadoosh.
$10m for Gio doesn’t sound too crazy in a market where IKF is getting $7.5m.
Blue jays would have been better off signing him then Kiner-Falefa.
Trade Gleyber Torres and Carlos Rodon for Nolan Arenado
Dear Yankees fan, Stooooop.
Signed, a fellow Yankees fan.
Jeez, better start signing sumbody soon cash-man, whoever, lil pitching would B nice. Dont tell me u blew ur aloted acquisition budget adding soto ? Kc n cincy kickin sum yankee hot stove ass by actually signing Ps n adding payroll.
Can Urshela play Left Field? Friars need a Soto replacement if Jurickson Profar isn’t resigned.
No, because he’s played in the outfield only once in his career and it was also for one inning.
Jeez, some of you are brutal on players. Gio would be a nice back up infielder. He might be a little pricey for that roll, but the Yankees have the coin.
This article could be Mother Teresa and Ghandi taking special advisory roles and the Satanists would object. Water is still wet on MLBTR in 2024.
To be honest, Gio seems to ring small market signing. Like my Pirates for example, 32 years of age and still prove they can play. Not saying Pittsburgh should sign the guy, but I feel he won’t be utilised properly unless he signs with Twins, A’s (they are staying pat until Vegas), Rays, Braves, Pirates, Royals, or even Guardians offer more plate appearances and games. I believe that is what Gio and his agent is looking for on a one year deal to improve his stock.
I see him being a good fit on the Cubs as their starting 3B. I don’t see him having to accept a part time, utility gig, which would limit his future contracts.
Trade Torres to free up a spot for Gio. Is this comedy hour.
Would love to bring Gio back home to the Bronx but not a fit at this time.
Clickbait. Mets are not interested.
Reuniting isn’t what the Yankees have done much so let’s give a try. The Bronx will love this guy back.
Perhaps Matt Carpenter can return to the Yankees to platoon with Alex Verdugo in Left Field? It was just a year ago Carp torched the ball with over a 300 average as a member of the Bronx Bombers.
I’m surprised the Tigers aren’t.
And I’d be disappointed if the Tigers don’t move some position players, free up some space on the 40 and fortify the teams’25 w/ or w/o highly tradable FAs.
…. also a couple of starters.
Use the options these pitchers have.
So many guys need to be on the 40 next year =logjam. This year presents a unique opportunity. I hope they don’t miss it.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Hire the Superfife!
2019 feels like 15 years ago
The amount of these articles suggesting trading Torres is crazy it’s not happening
The Yankees are in no big rush to do anything apparently,with the acquisition of Soto( most likely a one year rental), Steinbrenners pocketbook is secure. At the backend of free agency, they can pick up whatever measly scraps are left, and call it a successful off-season. and the casual Yankees fan will be content.
This is yucky. I understand that the pitching market is out of control but Cashman is burning real prime years of two of the best players in the game. He’s had ample opportunities to acquire FA help to supplement the youth, yet he continued to wait in an attempt to find the fine line between success and financial conservation.
When it didn’t work, he tried the alternative method of trying to patch holes at the trade deadline with less expensive players; but he overpaid in prospects each time, and most of the time it was a failure.
He’s refused to budge from his analytics design despite it being proven to have failed him repeatedly. He’s refused to move on from Boone despite Boone’s management being woefully insufficient to overcome the team’s weaknesses.
I’ve not totally tapped out on the Yankees yet because they made some good OF acquisitions. I could see Cashman making a surprise deal for good SP along with a top relief arm. But it also wouldn’t surprise me for Cashman to make some peripheral moves and prefer to address this at the deadline (which doesn’t ever work for him).