By Patrick Gunn
The Yankees have been linked to free-agent infielder and old friend Gio Urshela. He became one of the faces of the 2019 “Next Man Up/Savages in the Box” Yankees with a surprising breakout run. Urshela started his tenure as a journeyman infielder DFA’d by the Blue Jays, demoted to the minors, and then traded to the Yankees in an unnoteworthy August trade. Then, injuries to players including Miguel Andújar opened up a spot for Urshela, and he played his way into Yankees’ fans' hearts with fantastic defense and surprising pop-raking 21 home runs in the juiced ball season.
That power continued into his 2020 campaign (.490 slugging%), but that power dipped during a partially injured 2021 season where he ended the year at shortstop following the struggles of Gleyber Torres. The Yankees traded him and catcher Gary Sánchez to the Twins for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Urshela’s last two seasons have been a mixed bag; he had a solid season in Minnesota (119 weighted runs created +) before only playing 62 games for the Angels last season. But should the Yankees bring back the happy fella?
PROS:
The biggest plus is reuniting with a fantastic locker room player, beloved by the players and fans who will play hard every night.
Notice how I used the word “infielder” instead of third baseman. Yes, Urshela’s defense at third base is his strength, but he can man more than just the hot corner. I mentioned that he ended the 2021 season at shortstop; Urshela did play nine games there in Anaheim (remember, he only played 62 total last year) and he’s shown that he can play that position at an average level. He also played 22 games at first base and Outs Above Average suggests that he save one run there. Is that giving, say, Mark Teixeira vibes? No, but it shows that Urshela can provide much-needed infield depth.
The Yankees could always use high-contact hitters, and Urshela has proven he can put the bat on the ball: his strikeout rate has been below 18% each of the last two seasons.
It is worth noting that in his last full season in Minnesota, Urshela posted a .285 BA/.338 OBP/.429 SLG, again good for a 119 wRC+.
CONS:
Much of the cons come with the bat: his power from 2019-2020 has never really popped since. He did hit 13 home runs in 2021 and 14 in 2022, with expected slugging percentages around .415. But last year, that dropped to .361. If he can get back to the low .400s, that would be an improvement from the Yankees’ last season (an actual slugging percentage of .397 last year), but that’s a big if.
He had a .299 batting average but still hit slightly below league average (92 wRC+) thanks to abysmal power. And keep in mind, he had a .349 BABIP last year, his highest since his 2019 season. Not to mention his hard-hit% tumbled to 33.7%, his lowest mark since 2018. That coupled with average exit velocities in the upper 80s (dropping slightly from 88.9 mph in 2022 to 87.5 in 2023) suggests Urshela won’t be adding much power to the Yankees’ lineup.
One roster-related question: No, the Yankees have not replaced IKF’s super-utility role, but would signing Urshela - or another utility player - prevent a younger player like Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza from taking the role?
He suffered a left pelvis fracture last season after a hard fall, which ended his year in June. Now, it doesn’t appear that he had surgery, but it’s fair to question his health.
VERDICT:
The Yankees are in a win-now mindset and need a championship-worthy roster. That’s why I’ll support a reunion with Urshela for his intangibles, whether he starts at third base or provides a utility role. He can play nearly every infield position and do it at least adequately. He can put the ball in play. And, above all else, he is a great guy who can help in the locker room. I will say, that I may have advocated for the Yankees to consider trading Urshela several years ago for the right deal. Well, the Yankees could use some solid infield depth and Urshela would provide that. He is heading into his age-32 season and I don’t think we’ll see 2019 Gio, but he should still be better than last year - as long as he’s fully recovered from his pelvis fracture. But the Yankees have Cabrera or Peraza who could help in that situation and again, adding Urshela means more depth. So, the Yankees have enough of a good reason to bring back Urshela.
I enjoyed seeing Gio play defense, especially those throws he made to nail the runner at first from the seat of his pants, sitting on the ground. But I am hoping for more of a power threat at 3B. DJ and Peraza can share duties there for now, and ultimately, when he is ready, Tyler Hardman would be the best future option there. Unless there is a power hitting 3B that suddenly comes available via trade from another team, who also plays good defense, but I doubt the Padres would ever give up Manny Machado and I also doubt the Cardinals would ever give up Nolan Arenado. But if both of those teams have a non-playoff season like last y…
Someone explain to me how the Yanks are in a win now mode...they have Boone as a manager & a dumpster diving GM. This is a 4th place team!!!!
He never should have been traded to start with. If healthy, yes. He is a superb fielder and we saw his bat.
No on Urshela..... Yankees need to move on with YOUNGER PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!
there's little reason to revisit Urshela unless the Yankees first trade Peraza.
Urshela has good hands and arm, but lacks the range to play shortstop
Peraza is the preferable defender, as well as being far younger and less expensive
for a back-up infielder, it's probably better to emphasize defense.
should it prove to be the case that LeMahieu is unable to serve as the starter at 3B, the Yankees could use Gio, but they would be better served by bringing in some other guy.
Gio is fine and dandy, but not an obvious standout
and spots on the 26 man roster require careful consideration, even if the candidates are of sterling character.