The Red Sox have shown interest in free agent infielder Gio Urshela, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Cotillo tipped his hat on X to other uses on that site, @iTalkStudiosYT and @GlenielGarcia2, but he downplayed the situation more than those outlets. Cotillo noted that no deal was close and that the Sox haven’t done anything to separate themselves from other interested clubs like the Yankees, Mets, Angels and Marlins.
Urshela, now 32, is coming off a frustrating season with the Angels. He hit just two home runs in 62 games before suffering a pelvic fracture that ended his season prematurely. Nonetheless, plenty of clubs have been interested in him based on his previous work, where he combined a bit of pop, low strikeout rates and defensive versatility.
From 2019 to 2022, he hit 54 home runs in 435 games while getting punched out in just 19.3% of his plate appearances. His 6.3% walk rate was subpar but he nonetheless managed to hit .290/.336/.463 over those years for a wRC+ of 119, indicating he was 19% better than league average. He has spent most of his career at third base but has also lined up at the other three infield spots and has one inning in left field.
The Sox have a set infield right now with Rafael Devers, Trevor Story, Vaughn Grissom and Triston Casas lined up left to right, but there would be some sense in adding a quality multi-positional infielder like Urshela. Neither Devers nor Cases are considered especially strong defensively. Story has missed significant time in the past two seasons due to elbow surgery. Grissom has just 64 games of major league experience.
If Urshela were added, he could occasionally spell someone in that group or push them to the designated hitter slot. The club plans to use Masataka Yoshida as the DH fairly regularly but he can play the outfield on occasion as others get a rest.
Despite the logical fit, Cotillo downplays the urgency of a deal getting to completion, which suggests the Sox aren’t desperate to add him. If they don’t get something done with Urshela, their in-house options for a depth infielder are Enmanuel Valdéz, Bobby Dalbec, Pablo Reyes, David Hamilton and Romy González.
Exactly who Devers said the Sox were missing lol
mnnorth – Gio is EXACTLY the type of player Red Sox management loves.
Coming off a disastrous season that ended with a severe injury, thus lowering his earning potential.
Keep throwing crap against the wall and eventually something will stick, right?
Wow ! Lol.
To that point, why trade sale ? You only saved 10 million dollars you were not going to respend on more pitching. So if you like the rehab projects – believe in the ones you have in stock !
The team I’m most jealous of in all of baseball, and no it’s not the Yankees because is not the 1990s lol, is the Braves. They are the best at everything ! Damn them haha !! So I just have the vision of him being the anchor of that team pushing them to the WS while the RS could compete if they just had enough pitching….
“To that point, why trade sale ? You only saved 10 million dollars you were not going to respend on more pitching.”
…to save John Henry 10 million dollars, duhhhh!!!
Can we just get a starting pitcher PLEASE
stop with nickel and dime stuff. you are the Red Sox stop embarrassing your players former players and fan base. spend on someone who matters. you don’t need this guy.
jsg – A few days ago Pedroia facetimed Breslow, Kennedy, Raquel and several other Sox Assistant GM’s and that’s exactly what he said …. he reminded them they are the Red Sox, and he told them exactly what they need to do during the next few weeks.
The destruction of the Red Sox has absolutely killed ultra-competitive Red Sox legends such as Pedroia, Pedro, Ortiz, etc. They are embarrassed to be associated with the team right now.
jsgoody1 hour ago
stop with nickel and dime stuff.
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If you are signing a backup infielder, isn’t that supposed to be a nickel dime contract?
They don’t need him, Joe. They should be spending on pitching.
Please NO, NO, NO and again NO
From Cotillo’s article:
“They have not yet separated themselves from the pack or been an aggressor in Urshela’s market, which reportedly also includes the Yankees, Mets, Angels and Marlins.”
It doesn’t look like the Red Sox have much interest in Urshela. They probably just checked in with his agent.
Good grief please dont sign this guy
This makes sense if we are finally committing as a team to incinerating Devers glove finally and installing him at DH. I don’t know what hitter we will be getting in Urshela going forward, but he is a good glove at third. If not, I would rather they do not spend a single penny for players that are not being brought in to solve a problem long term. I can live with another 84 loss season rather than hoping Urshela can get us to the promise land of 82 losses.
William – Gio has had just one good non-Covid year in his entire career, and that was way back in 2019. Even if he’s now healthy – and that’s a big if – it would be a huge setback offensively because I assume that would mean trading Yoshida.
I’ve called for better corner infield major league depth all offseason, but, not an aging player coming off a broken hip.
GA – But he’s three times the fielder Devers is even with a broken hip and dark glasses on that don’t allow him to see the 1B!!!!
True TF, but, you KNOW Cora would keep playing Devers at 3B because he likes him.
You missed the point. The long-term problem being solved by installing Urshela at third is getting Devers OFF THIRD. I don’t care if Urshela hits .220 and is gone next year. I don’t like moves that are not geared towards solving problems. If Devers is staying on third, I would rather they don’t get a single other fielder brought in, and just use the money to sign one elite starter long term.
If they are going to get a fielder, it either has to be a huge upgrade or solve an issue for the long term. If this moves Devers off third, it is a huge defensive upgrade long term because Devers will hopefully not be playing there anymore, and that solves a problem for the team. In Devers first season I was already lobbying for him to be moved to first base. Back then there were several elite third base options available and that would have helped us in a huge way. Lord knows Devers is terrible at third, but a good deal of that is terrible throws. At first you get rid of most of the throws, and he has time to pick up the balls he drop and still beat the runner to the bag. So that would have been two long term solutions in one signing.
Is it me or are the Red Sox having the strangest offseason of all teams? I understand there’s a passing of the FO torch, but I’m struggling to see the direction.
they have no direction. the think the pitching coach is going to suddenly turn the pitching staff into all aces… it’s crazy.
Gwynn – It’s not you, pretty much everybody has said the same thing. There’s no longterm plan, no direction, it’s as if ownership has become totally scatterbrained.
How else can you explain spending $55.5M to swap out Sale with Giolito, but not (yet) acquire a good SP or a good replacement for Turner/Duvall.
And they made no effort to acquire a much-needed stud LHR, but they have been shopping all 3 of their best relievers (already trading one).
Looking back at all the players the Red Sox were supposedly “in on” (Ohtani, Yama, Shota, Nola, etc) has become comical. They couldn’t afford YRod, Wacha, Lugo, Maeda, Soler etc but yet they were supposedly pursuing those premium free agents listed above?
Never in my lifetime have I witnessed the organization turn into the disaster it is now.
They can afford anyone. They just don’t WANT to. The money’s there, they’re just not willing to spend.
John Henry has had enough of winning, all he wants to do now is make a fat profit while he can.
Fever, to be fair it was 55.5 + salary and arb raises to swap one year of sale for 2 years of Giolito and 6 years of grissom
Gaynning – Loved the torch analogy. Think about the team that has all but won the race and then they fire DD and the next guy drops the torch and the entire field passes us, then Bloom hands the torch to Breslow but can’t find him so he simply sets it on the Dumpster for Breslow to pick up and run with.
The Red Sox were way out in front by the end of 2018 and four years later and two torch drops, they are a lap behind the others and trying to figure out which direction to run.
Never been called that, but I am extremely happy.
=)
Perfect fit! Go get him Rsox.
when are the opening day boycott rumors starting?
They have already started. Opening Day at Fenway used to sell out on the first day tickets went on sale. I went online today to look and there are tons of Opening Day tickets still available for sale by the team (not ticket agencies).
Unless Boston goes out and signs Montgomery, I believe that they will set a record in April 2024 for the fewest paying ticket holders in the first month of the season since the 1970’s when they were just awful.
It’s already happened.
There are still tickets to just about any type of seat you desire, green monster to bleacher seats at face value from the club for opening day.
Weeks after being on sale. Absurd for this point in the offseason compared to the enthusiasm you used to see for it.
Given that the Sox clearly aren’t intending to compete this year, I don’t mind taking a flier on Urshela in hopes that you can flip him at the deadline.
Their offseason activity looks a lot like the Mets’ so far. Both teams are coming off disappointing seasons and feature a combination of lingering veterans (e.g. Alonso, Lindor, Devers, Story) and promising young talent (e.g. Baty, Alvarez, Casas, Duran) that isn’t fully developed enough to commit resources to but isn’t yet worth blowing up and rebuilding. So I think the thought for both teams is to invest in buy-low bounce-back candidates (e.g. Severino, Giolito) and see what happens. Either you catch lightning in a bottle and compete, or you get yourself a few pieces that you can flip at the deadline for prospects who won’t impede the development of your young core.
I don’t think this is a terrible strategy on paper. The question is whether Breslow can pull it off. Bloom tried a similar approach but wasn’t courageous enough to move in one direction or the other at back to back deadlines (his greatest failing, aside perhaps from the Devers extension). In both ’22 and ’23, the Sox were fringe contenders at the deadline, but instead of either investing in necessary pieces or getting meaningful returns for one-year guys like Turner and Duvall, Bloom stood pat.
I’d expect the Sox to be in a similar situation come July barring significant roster additions. They’re not horrible, but they’re not really cut out to make the postseason either. We’ll have to see what Breslow does. At this point, I’d settle for “something,” regardless of which approach he takes.
Ding ding ding. Great analogy. Both teams have money, yes, but both teams need to see what they have with their kids and need to figure out what their vets are doing this year before making bigger moves. A regroup year–though I will say both are self induced, especially the Mets. I’d say the Sox need to make a couple more moves to catch the Mets because I’d almost say latter can compete as constituted and the former at least needs a another veteran starter. Ursheka though would be a fine get. Solid player who can back multiple positions.
I agree that both teams have self-induced problems, but I have to point out that nearly no one could have conceived of literally everything going wrong with normally very reliable players like what happened to the Mets. It was a perfect storm of everything you can think up going badly, from injuries to underperforming stars.
NO ONE thought the Red Sox were going to compete last year. The team on paper was bad, and the roster was riddled with major problems all over the place.
The Mets were going all in to inaugurate the new owners team, and wanted to build excitement right away. This was an owner going all in to compete, and simply making either ill advised moves, or paying heavily for gambles that should have worked.
Red Sox ownership has not been all in since about 2018-19, and certainly not trying to compete in at least 3 years.
The thing about the Mets was how ownership just up and gave up on almost everything they put together after half a season. It was more shocking than them imploding.
And no Sox haven’t been all in, but they’re made up very similarly and have big money ownership. Their moves overall have had a lot of parallels.
The Cubs could sign him and just get ready for the season.
I guess a season really can be over before it starts. I guess this is what fans of the Pirates or Royals feel like. It’s rather sad what the Red Sox have turned into.
I can’t believe how much the ownership is cheaping out. The Sox have plenty of cap space and generate loads of money. Why not try to field a competitive team, except for greed.
Does this mean that they are preparing to unload Devers’ contract for a ‘toolsy’ 8 year-old, partially in retribution for Raffy his speaking his truth during spring training?
The Cubs should be interested.
How the mighty have fallen. I think John Henry believes if he spends around 200 mil on payroll that is enough to get the wildcard. The problem is the way the money is being spent. They are truly not a class organization at all. A friend said Bloom liked shopping at the old Filenes basement in Boston , but this off season has been so disappointing
“I think John Henry believes if he spends around 200 mil on payroll that is enough to get the wildcard. The problem is the way the money is being spent.”
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I think that is likely going on and the Red Sox are in the process of changing over how they do things with more focus on player development than signing free agents to huge contracts that often go bad.
All = That’s a rationalization
The two are not mutually exclusive.
Win and improve player development at the same time.
KD: No, they are not mutually exclusive, but it seems clear the Red Sox are choosing to build through the farm and player development instead of through free agency. That’s what it looks like to me. I think when they are in better position to compete, they will spend more in free agency.
Suit – 2 SP front end of rotation (an ace plus a 2/3), a quality lefty reliever, and, this team could compete right now.
That would push the payroll to something like 270-275 million what makes you think ownership is willing to spend that much? I agree they would be competitive with Snell and Monty and a quality lefty plus maybe a veteran right handed power bat but it’s not happening Ownership isn’t going to green light that level of payroll or it would be done already.
Bruin – my point isn’t to sign those guys at this point in the offseason, it’s to refute Suit’s point the team wait to sign guys until they were closer to contention, and, that they couldve been a contender NOW, that there isn’t some amorphous future target to wait to sign FAs for.
Had the team engaged earlier in the offseason, you could’ve first changed some of the allocations that were made, and, gone after some guys they watched come off the board such as grabbing, say, wacha, as your spare #3 – if he’s willing to sign with KC, he likely would’ve come to Boston. Especially since he’s familiar with the city already.
Cot’s has boston at 172m 40 man actual and 194m CBT after hendricks. I dont see 80m on a #1 and #3, and, under NO circumstances should snell be a FA target for Boston, even if spending was greenlighted. The years and money will age badly.
GA: To be more specific, I think the Red Sox are building for a longer window of contention by getting a young core in place before they go into win-now mode. I think they are waiting until Kyle Teel and Roman Anthony reach the Red Sox before they go all on to win now. They probably want to develop some pitching too. This is what is looks like is going on to me.
Suit – the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
They shouldn’t go all-in by stripping the farm to buy at the deadline, but, theres no reason not to sign free agents and field a competitive team.
They’re clearly not in beat-the-As-to-the-bottom-tank mode, so, the difference in draft pick quality is negligible.
Even current players like Devers, former greats like Pedroia, and more are getting upset with ownership over the direction of things, and, rightly so.
GA: No, they are not completely tanking. I thought they were working to be competitive this year as Werner said ownership is relying on Breslow’s assurance they will be competitive. So, I am not really sure what is going on for this year. However, it looks like the long-term plan is to build more through the farm system and player development than free agency. That is fine with me as big free agent contracts often go bad and hold a team back. It’s all a matter of opinion and John Henry’s opinion matters the most which is why I always try to figure out what he is thinking.
GASox – As always you are right on the money!
Ownership has acknowledged a big reason why they brought back Theo was because they have neglected the Red Sox the past few years due to all their other FSG interests and projects.
And not that we didn’t need anymore double-talking BS from Red Sox ownership, here’s more proof everything they say is 100% crap:
“In the end, we don’t have a line in terms of our payroll that we look at as much as trusting that (Breslow) is going to deliver on his assurance that we’re going to be competitive.” Tom Werner, Jan 16
“We have set parameters for (Breslow) to operate under.” Sam Kennedy, Feb 19
Suit: it’s easy to figure out what Henry is thinking – what’s the least amount of money can he get away with spending on the team to maximize investor return and piggybank funds to buy into more sports leagues.
That was the stated and intended plan 5 years ago building off a playoff roster with several all-stars in it. We are now a last place team playing some of those prospects in the starting lineup and we have regressed. Was it a 5 year plan, or 10 year plan?
Remember, the “”Consistent Winner” schtick they trotted out when the Bloom regime started?
FYI. In case you missed it. The Red Sox stated Theo has nearly no role concerning the baseball team. He was brought in on what amounts to a training session to learn from and try to contribute to the larger organization, FSG. They have stated he will be mostly working remotely, and they do not expect him to be with the FSG for more than a year or two.
He is building his resume.
I was hoping he was brought in to guide and train Breslow up while being his soundboard. They dashed those hopes in less than 48 hours.
Although I am a fan of the biggest rival of the Red Sox, I still gotta say that I feel sorry for Red Sox Nation because of how pathetic their favorite team’s offseason has been. Then again, unlike many other Yankee fans, though not all others, I am not a high and mighty ignorant scumbag that will beat up people or be nasty to them in some other ways for being Red Sox fans and other crap like that.
They have “shown interest in”, talked to, or were “in on” a long list of players but have not signed anyone of note other than Giolito.
If I was a Red Sox fan I would not be holding my breath. Its like all the talk of the Angels being in on Snell.
The Red Sox could sign Montgomery and still finish last so it will be a rough year. Which would be ok it they could be trusted to build a winner. They will sink like Devers’ bloated contract.
I thought Casas was good defensively, knew he made errors toward end of season but how it goes sometimes. Raffy will be better with a stable SS this yr.
spitfire – MOST INSANE COMMENT OF THE DECADE!!!!!!!!!!!
Raffy will be better with a stable SS this year.
He had the great Bogaerts for years and he still officially booted 18 to 24 balls while actually misplaying over 50.
Your comment is RADICALLY WRONG!!!!
TF – He also said Casas was good defensively … good grief!
Fever, TF has argued to me that casas *was* overall competent defensively multiple times this offseason, after I’ve called him bad.
GASox – Maybe he was yanking your chain. I know he doesn’t trust defensive metrics, which I can understand. But when every observer sees all the Casas misplays, most of which did not even involve Devers, and every analyst and even his own coaches and management point out the same issues with his defense, it’s not possible to truthfully defend his defense last year.
But hey, I’ve put money on him having a monster season at the plate so he can be a butcher with the glove all he wants.
Of the three butchers of defense, Devers, Yoshida, and Casas, here’s 3 stat lines in no particular order from 2013:
3 errors (1 field/2 throw), -4 DRS, -8 OAA, -7 RAA
19 errors (11 field/8 throw), -9 DRS, -9 OAA, -6 RAA
5 errors (3 field/2 throw), -4 DRS, -10 OAA, -8 RAA
Now, I’m sure it’s no secret which one Devers is, as well as the fact that neither Cora nor ownership want to see Devers moved to DH so soon. Also, I attribute some of those throwing errors on Devers to the receiving 1B and his poor ability to pick throws the way a more talented defensive 1B would. But that’s neither here nor there.
So, of the other two Fever, who in the abstract do the metrics predict is more likely to have a negative impact on a ball hit their way? And which would you rather play at DH? The first or third?
Casas plays first like a veteran catcher asked to take reps there towards the end of their career for the first time. He isn’t the worst I have seen. He certainly is not good. I don’t think it will take Casas an entire career to get reasonably good there like it will Devers at third base.
The least damaging position is left, which is why I think we should live with Yoshida out there, and just work him to death on it.
Devers is a DH/1st baseman if ever one existed. Casas is limited to 1st and DH. Personally, I am more inclined to want my more expensive guy (Devers) at DH to try to avoid injuries. Avoid his injuries, and any fans, bat boys, camera men, vendors, and fans along the first base line.
Casas is league average.
A perfect example of why metrics suck.
How can a 1B be evaluated in the same way a CF is? Does he need to have massive range? No. Does he have to be great on pop-ups that don’t happen that often? NO. He needs to catch throws and sometimes make throws. His error total makes him league average.
Devers is a problem, Casas is not even a concern.
GA – Blaming Casas for Devers is pathetic. Moreland was GG and he couldn’t catch many of the ridiculously bad throws by Devers. Nobody can because he’s a complete scatter arm and that’s the best part of his defensive skills.
Not one fielding percentage listed so real stats don’t matter any more. Only the contrived estimates with the faulty formulas matter. DRS is calculated the same for CF and 1B. I rest my case.
William – That’s GM type thinking!!! Excellent if you like Yoshida’s bat. Personally, if he doesn’t bat 2nd they might as well trade him. You lose his primary skill batting him down in the order instead of right behind the speed.
Can he pitch?
Venn Diagram: People who are frustrated with the Red Sox and people who have ever said they’d be happy to suck for 9 years if they won a WS the tenth. What the heck, add people who are FoS to the diagram as well
Like the Yankees looking .158 hitters that can field decent D. Wait/ they both have minor leagues full of guys that already can’t hit.
Hope he’s a pitcher now.
Who wins interest kings of the off-season?
Red Sox vs Blue Jays
Fenway – Jays got YRod, Turner, Kiner and Kiermaier which is better than what Sox have signed.
I’m kind of curious who the fans want as their backup 3B/1B?
JoeBrady – I vote for Devers as back-up 3B and O’Neill as back-up 1B.
TF – Not Devers! He sucks at 3B. I know you like the guy, but with Clumsy Casas at 1B the last thing you want is Devers unleashing wild throws across the diamond.
Fever – You missed the point!!!
If he’s the back-up HE’S NOT THE STARTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TF – I’d rather have Devers at 1B or DH!!!
Amen. 1st base is locked up by Casas. Casas can’t be anything other than a first baseman or DH. That leaves Devers at DH, and you just have to deal with Yoshida in the field most games, and DH some games on those days Devers plays first base. You would have a very expensive DH, but let us be honest, we paid that money to a guy that is a DH.
Dalbec
Joe – Valdez first choice, Pablo second choice.
Just what the Sox don’t need. They need a slugger not another Infielder with no place to place
Don’t we need pitching more? I do think Sox management is not looking at the right pirces, but I also think these journalists are also not giving us the whole picture.
Don’t see this happening… utility role?.waste
If you allow yourself to look at this in isolation and ignore all the frustrations of the Red Sox offseason, checking in on Gio makes sense. We’re talking about a right handed bench spot. Right now that’s going to Dalbec, Pablo Reyes, or Romy Gonzalez. If, big if, Gio is healthy, that’s a fairly convincing upgrade, even if in a minor role.
Now, I’m personally not a big fan and would rather look at other external right handed options that remain. But if you’re just looking at this or internal options, it makes sense.
VLTC – A nicelyy done, very logical approach to your comment.
I asked myself a similar question:
What if Devers was DH, we had two SP1s, we had one more lefty reliever and Chapman or Bregman, would Gio be an ok corner infield back-up? My answer was yes BUT none of the what if part is true so the answer is HECK NO.
I’ve shown interest to Pamela Anderson does anyone care?
Winslow – Depends are where you are going to play her!!!!
TF – She is like Ort this offseason …. going from team to team all the time! Too much mileage, I’d rather take a flier on Heather Locklear!
TF – You are still landing on a Tommy Lee girl!!
I’m a fan from the 1950’s and if you got a crowd of 15,000 it was a miracle. The Sox front office in those days consisted of drinking buddies of Tom Yawkey and bigots like Mike Higgins. We now have evolved to analytic nerds and kowtowing bobble head yes men to cater to the owners blind ego! Frasee traded Babe Ruth and decades of losses followed Henry traded Betts and the dark ages part 2 is raising its ugly head!
Would love to see Dalbec make the club if he fixes his strikeout rate. He could be a big asset .
I like the kid, and wished he would have hit the ground running and kept it up. He reminds me of Middlebrooks a bit. You want those guys to really succeed for the team, but for themselves. They seem like good people.
The “showing interest” curse strikes again.
The reporter mistook the D on the hat for a B!!!
The Tigers now have Urshela.