The Cardinals and infielder Ramón Urías are closing in on a deal, reports Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. The details of the contract being discussed haven’t yet been reported. The Cards have a full 40-man roster and will need to make a corresponding move if this ends up being a major league deal for the Wasserman client.
Urías, 32 in June, has been a solid multi-positional player for the past six big league seasons. Most of that time was spent with the Orioles, though he was traded to the Astros at last year’s deadline. He has stepped to the plate 1,856 times in the majors, roughly three full seasons’ worth, and hit 50 home runs in that time. His .257/.321/.403 batting line translates to a 104 wRC+, indicating he’s been 4% above average on the whole.
His defense is even stronger than his offense. He has mostly played third base but has also spent some time at the other infield positions. He’s probably stretched as a shortstop but he has received strong reviews for his work at the hot corner. He won the American League Gold Glove at that position in 2022, getting credited with 14 Defensive Runs Saved and eight Outs Above Average. For what it’s worth, in the years since, DRS still views him as a positive defender but OAA has him below par. His work at the keystone is well regarded, with 11 DRS and 2 OAA. He has fewer than 100 innings at first base.
He is coming off a down year at the plate. Between the O’s and the ’Stros, he slashed .241/.292/.384 for an 87 wRC+. Houston could have retained him via arbitration for 2026, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a $4.4MM salary, but they decided to non-tender him instead.
For St. Louis, Urías should backfill some of their missing infield depth. The Cards are rebuilding and traded away Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras this winter. Those moves both saved money and also freed up playing time for some younger players the organization would like to get a look at.
On the dirt, they project to have Masyn Winn at short and Alec Burleson at first, with the other two positions a bit more open. Nolan Gorman seems likely to take over the third base job but also has lots of experience at second. JJ Wetherholt could get the second base gig but he hasn’t yet cracked the major leagues.
Behind those leading candidates, the Cards also have José Fermín, Thomas Saggese, Bryan Torres and César Prieto on the 40-man roster. No one in that group has more than 100 big league games played. All of them except for Fermín have options, so perhaps the club would prefer them to get regular playing time in the minors if they don’t have regular big league jobs. Gorman also has options and is coming off two rough years at the plate.
When dealing with a group of fairly unproven guys, some will perform and some will not. On top of that, injuries are inevitable. Urías is coming off a down year at the plate but is a fairly reliable veteran who could step in to cover for some of the other guys, if necessary. If he’s on the roster and playing well in the summer, he would be a logical trade candidate for the rebuilding club.
Photo courtesy of Cary Edmondson, Imagn Images
Now THIS is Urías racing.
I am very confused by this reference is he a big Star Wars fan?
Probably
Somehow, Chaim Bloom returned.
Weird, wonder if its a precursor to a trade
Exactly my thoughts. Gorman?
Surprised the o’s took Ramos on waivers when gorman could probably he had cheap
My guess is, he can fill in nicely at third if Gorman can’t stick with the big club. Saggesse CAN play 3rd, but if a few months of Gorman doesn’t look promising, this gives the Cards some flexibility to move on from Gorman.
Seems like a decent, inexpensive move with some upside, has a little pop, plus he hits right-handed and this helps the club not have to rush JJ, too. I like it.
Bingo. That’s exactly what this move is.
Roby and Hjerpe to the 60 day.
No
Bloom special
Solid depth, I was surprised he lingered so long on the market .
Gorman and Wetherholt both hit from the left side so Urias gives the Cardinals an additional RH Infielder to pair with Saggese as 2B/3B options
Interesting pickup. Bloom said he wanted a RH bat for the outfield
Could also slide Burly back to the OF and get Gorman reps at first as a solution to that. Or just turn Saggese into pretty much a full time OF next year to really see if the Donovan role works for him. Good thing about a young roster that won’t win much is you can get creative.
Well I think Elias should’ve done this after today’s news.
Whose to say urias would want to return after we traded him
His wallet.
Love this move for the cards, soild dedefender/utility man for the club. GO CARDINALS!
Would rather have Derek Jeter in his prime tbh.
Would rather have Derek Jeter’s dating record in his prime.
You really think any of those girls can hit?
Yes I do……… yes I do
Winner winner ☝️
They were celebs but none of them were athletes.
Urias wasn’t a bad pickup. Trading for Correa made Urias redundant though.
Trading for correa was an ill advised, sentimental trade that royally complicates the roster and payroll.
I’ve seen some national pundits theorize that the Correa deal was Jim Crane’s doing, is that the sentiment among astros fans?
It appears that the Cardinals are about to sign Urias to a contract as insurance in the event Weatherholt needs additional time at Memphis.
Well,.maybe he’ll break up a perfect game when the O’s play the Red Birds this year like he did for the Stros last year. Can’t buy that kind of irony.
I don’t like what Brandon Young did.
I think Urias is a fine ballplayer but shouldn’t be playing everyday
This could be a huge signing. Are the Cards going to compete this year? Maybe.