The Blue Jays announced Monday that they’ve designated infielder Richard Urena for assignment. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to corner infielder Travis Shaw, whose previously reported one-year contract is now official, per the team.
Urena, 24 in February, can play all over the infield, but to this point in his career hasn’t hit much in either the Majors (.253/.300/.336 in 263 plate appearances) or Triple-A (.250/.289/.373 in 671 plate appearances). He hasn’t posted particularly strong defensive metrics during his limited time in the big leagues but was praised as a potential plus defender with average or better speed as he rose through the Blue Jays’ farm system.
Urena is also out of minor league options, so he’d have had to either break camp with the big league club this spring or else be traded or exposed to waivers via a DFA in a few months anyhow. That lack of options will likely limit his appeal to other clubs as well, although a team with a particularly thin infield mix and some 40-man flexibility could take a flier on a waiver claim. The Blue Jays will have a week to either trade Urena or try to pass him through outright waivers.
Who cares!
Richard Urena, Jays fans, probably Richard’s parents
Me!
How dare MLBTR fill their site with information about roster transactions!
I do. I’ve been following Urena’s progression for the last four years and am hoping he won’t get traded.
This is troubling. Urena was supposed to be the backup SS. Shaw isn’t it, neither is Drury or Biggio. At this point the backup SS is Gurriel.
Unless the Blue Jays are prepared to go with Valera. That would be disappointing as he is garbage.
If Valera is garbage, what is Urena?
Younger.
short-changed
Troubling isn’t the word I’d use. Urena is a fringe 40 man roster player who doesn’t project to ever hit enough to be a regular. Losing him is OK… but he was the only backup SS on the roster. So looks like another addition may be coming. Maybe they can sneak him through waivers.
Maybe it’s Espinal but more than likely they see an available backup SS who they like better.
Lindor. Ha!
They have Santiago Espinal on the 40 man roster and while he’ll most likely start the year in Buffalo, if he can hit like he has in the minors then he could be called up sooner than later.
Keeping Derek Fisher over Urena? Whaaasat?
Valera was the first guy to drop. Unfortunately Fisher is sitting as the #4, if not #3, Outfielder on the depth chart.
Urena had around a 70 wRC+ in AAA. That’s…. not good.
Definitely.
Fisher hasn’t lived up to his potential… but at least he has potential. Urena’s upside is a backup infielder.
I agree, Urena isn’t a difference maker, but guys like Fisher and Drury, and on and on aren’t exactly. I’ve always kind of liked Urena in limited looks….solid player at least in a limited role?
Man, most of what you say is incredibly dumb but this is top 5
Well… either Espinal is being eyed as the backup SS, Kevin Smith is getting a call up, or they plan on bringing in someone through trade/free agency….. since Espinal is viewed more as a 2b utility type, and Smith wasn’t very good in AA last year, I’d have to lean towards them bringing in someone from outside the organization to fill the backup SS role.
Or its December. Valera is likely next to get chopped when they add to the bullpen. He or Urena or both will likely go unclaimed. Plus they likely sign a few SS/utility guys to minor league contracts, as they did with Sogard last year.
surprising. welcome to Baltimore, Richard!
Meh all the infielders on the roster battling for the 26th spot are about the same. Not too surprising they picked one of the other three over Urena
He was a solid little player, never really got a fair opportunity.
C’mon Jays find a way to get some more pitching and compete
Pirates have no catchers in they’re top 30. For Marte, trade Moreno or Kirk, throw in Urena. Heck add Alford. He won’t pass through waivers after process of elimination with the outfielders.
Itll take more than the Jays leftovers to get Marte. Lol.
Nope. Pirates would save more than 20M. Moreno/Kirk are legit prospects. Pirates are tearing it down.
Both Moreno and Kirk are longshots. Come on man. Marte comes with team control. Stop.
Thornton and Pardinho OR Conine would get it done.
Jays pass.
Padres will look at his batting average and sign him to 2 years, $8M.
[Sarcasm]
I don’t see anyone trading for Urena or claiming him off waivers. He’ll most likely clear and get stashed in Buffalo as injury insurance.
There are a bunch of guys out there who are better options that the can sign to minor league deals with invites to camp or really low 1 year MLB deals. some name are Hechavvaria, Beckham, Addison Russell and more.
Another starting position player for the Baltimore Orioles.
I will upvote this.
Tigers! Perfect fit
I always thought they never gave him enough of a chance. He can do some things with the bat but can be distracted on defence. Was he not their #1 prospect 3 or 4 years ago?