Twins Trade Gio Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins faced a decision on their eight arbitration eligible candidates. While some were plenty straightforward, others were more difficult. Count Gio Urshela among the latter, and now we know his fate: Urshela was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. 

Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Falvey and Thad Levine went into Friday with a full 40-man roster. Eight of those players needed to be tendered a contract for the 2023 season or be sent to waivers prior to being determined free agents. Among them was Gio Urshela, who was acquired along with Gary Sanchez last offseason from the New York Yankees for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Sanchez is now a free agent, while Urshela had one more season of team control.

His fate was in question because it would be false to suggest that Urshela wasn’t valuable for the Twins. In his first season with Minnesota, Urshela posted a 2.4 fWAR, which ranked fourth among Minnesota hitters. It was also only slightly behind his 2.8 fWAR from the 2019 season in which he broke out for New York. Offensively, Urshela’s 121 OPS+ was well above the mediocre 96 OPS+ he posted a season ago. Although there were low points, his 13 homer runs and gap power came in handy.

 

Defensively, Urshela was somewhat of a mixed bag. Twins fans saw plenty of highlight reel plays from the hot corner, but it was some of the more straightforward plays that weren’t made which dragged him down. Fangraphs own Defensive Runs Saved metric viewed Urshela favorably at +4, while MLB’s Statcast had him at -5 per their Outs Above Average metric.

For Minnesota, the determination largely came down to how they wanted to spend their capital, while also figuring out what Urshela’s role would be. In talking to a few sources, they seem content with internal options at third base. Jose Miranda, Luis Arraez, and eventually Royce Lewis can all play the position. It remains to be seen which of them are adequate defensively, but none of them carry the $9.2 million price tag MLB Trade Rumors projected Urshela to receive in arbitration.

In knowing they would ultimately decide to move on from Urshela, it became important to find any sort of return for him. Just hours before Friday night's 7pm deadline, the team came to an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels. ESPN Insider Jeff Passan reported that Minnesota sent their starting third basemen to Los Angeles for Single-A pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo .

Hidalgo is a Venezuelan native that spent 2022 at Single-A Inland Empire for just his second season of professional baseball. He posted a 4.62 ERA across 39 innings, all of them coming as a starter. He tallied an impressive 58/19 K/BB and is the exact kind of lottery ticket you'd hope to get as opposed to non-tendering a player for nothing.

Recently Twins Daily’s Nick Nelson called Urshela the Twins toughest arbitration decision and considering all of the factors, it’s hard to dispute that. As things stand presently, and with Carlos Correa unsigned, Minnesota’s entire left side of the infield remains up in the air. It will be on the front office to sort that out over the coming months before Spring Training.

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[ashbury]

A live 19-year old arm in return.  Probably a good trade.  #22 on MLB.com's prospect list for the Angels; at the moment probably a bullpen candidate.  We knew Urshela wasn't without value; the question was whether he was more valuable to the Twins as insurance at 3B if Miranda doesn't make strides, versus prospect capital.

 

/ edit - on re-reading, I mean he probably has a live arm.  I didn't mean to damn with faint praise by suggesting he's 19 and alive.  Nor to imply his arm might be of a different age than the rest of him.

[JDubs]

Tough to see Gio go as he was definitely one of their top players last year, but keeping him means you have to put Miranda at first, and then you've got a log jam with Arraez, Kiriloff, and others. Probably a smart move to clear a bit of space, now let's get Correa back at short.

[Brandon]

I guess the Twins plan to get an expensive SS this offseason.  Since the just traded their best internal option other than Lewis ….

[Brock Beauchamp]

There's a lot of money off the books right now and a front office that hasn't impressed me with an aggressiveness to go get "their guy".

Color me skeptical. While in a vacuum trading Urshela isn't a terrible idea, I would have rather seen Kepler head out of Minnesota.

[PseudoSABR]

5 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

There's a lot of money off the books right now and a front office that hasn't impressed me with an aggressiveness to go get "their guy".

Color me skeptical. While in a vacuum trading Urshela isn't a terrible idea, I would have rather seen Kepler head out of Minnesota.

[GKuehl]

I’m happy with this move if it helps lead to a Correa reunion. However, if we traded Urshela to simply sign Elvis Andrus, this move is a definite hindrance to our competitive outlook next year, and one that wasn’t worth making.

The prospect looks intriguing, a potential reliever option in 3-5 years. 

[DJL44]

18 minutes ago, ashbury said:

A live 19-year old arm in return.  Probably a good trade.  #22 on MLB.com's prospect list for the Angels; at the moment probably a bullpen candidate.  We knew Urshela wasn't without value; the question was whether he was more valuable to the Twins as insurance at 3B if Miranda doesn't make strides, versus prospect capital.

#15 for Fangraphs. The description I saw said average fastball, good curve, minus changeup. If his changeup has improved his prospect stock would also rise.

Not sure which of Arraez and Miranda gets 3B, the other will get 1B.

I liked Urshela and I think they probably could have received just as much at the deadline. A little disappointed in this trade.

[Dave The Dastardly]

16 minutes ago, JDubs said:

Tough to see Gio go as he was definitely one of their top players last year, but keeping him means you have to put Miranda at first, and then you've got a log jam with Arraez, Kiriloff, and others. Probably a smart move to clear a bit of space, now let's get Correa back at short.

Yep, smart move to clear up the log jam and pick up a decent prospect in return. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Correa to get a return gig with the Twins.

[Riverbrian]

I will reserve judgement until the end of the off-season. 

More moves to come... I assume.  

[chpettit19]

If they weren't going to pay that money this is a great move. Why not take a flier prospect instead of just non-tendering Urshela? I liked Gio and would've been happy with him on the team to start 2023, but can also understand clearing 3B for Miranda, and hopefully Lee before long. This becomes a terrible trade if they don't spend that money, though. For me, this entire offseason comes down to them actually being aggressive and signing some top end talent with the money they should have available in their budget.

[notoriousgod71]

20 minutes ago, JDubs said:

Tough to see Gio go as he was definitely one of their top players last year, but keeping him means you have to put Miranda at first, and then you've got a log jam with Arraez, Kiriloff, and others. Probably a smart move to clear a bit of space, now let's get Correa back at short.

Our training staff makes sure there is never a log jam at any position.

[wsnydes]

16 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

There's a lot of money off the books right now and a front office that hasn't impressed me with an aggressiveness to go get "their guy".

Color me skeptical. While in a vacuum trading Urshela isn't a terrible idea, I would have rather seen Kepler head out of Minnesota.

The night is young.  Plenty of time to do that too.

And I'd like to see Kepler moved as well.

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, notoriousgod71 said:

Our training staff makes sure there is never a log jam at any position.

That shouldn't be a problem any more.

 

 

[ashbury]

18 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I would have rather seen Kepler head out of Minnesota.

Would you be happy with some other team's #22 prospect in exchange for Max?

Do you think any other team is willing to offer that much? ?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, ashbury said:

Would you be happy with some other team's #22 prospect in exchange for Max?

Do you think any other team is willing to offer that much? ?

The Twins won't get much for Max and I'm okay with that. The org has so many left-handed corner OF and Max has worn out his welcome with me.

[roger]

Interesting, very!

Count me among those who's eyes told me he was better defensively than some of the new numbers suggest.  I thought he was fantastic.  Also was pleasantly surprised at how well he hit.  

But this trade accomplishes a lot: 1) opens third base for Miranda, full time; 2) takes Miranda out of the mix at first, clearing it for Arraez, full time, or in some type of platoon with AK; 3) Takes another $9+M off the books; and 4) returns a young prospect who it appears doesn't require a 40-man spot, ie, opening another spot on the roster.  That's the type of move many here appear to like, I sure as heck do.

Should Miranda not be adequate at third, the Twins have both Lewis and Lee on the verge of taking that final step.  Sure seems responsible for management to have one penciled in at short and the other at third, should Miranda not be entrenched there.

I don't know what the future holds for the kid coming back.  But he is young and hopefully, will contend for a spot in the rotation three or so years from now.  Ranked at #22 at his young age must mean that he has some promise.

But we Twins fans should also BEWARE!  This is the type of move one would expect should the Front Office have decided to rebuild.

[Mike Sixel]

I did wonder yesterday about keeping him, given Miranda and Lee and Lewis......getting a pitcher that won't be on the 40 man for awhile makes sense (IF THEY SPEND THE MONEY).

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

The Twins won't get much for Max and I'm okay with that. The org has so many left-handed corner OF and Max has worn out his welcome with me.

Same. I'd be thrilled with a highly random outcome player in return (put Wallner in RF at this point, or Larnach).

[ashbury]

5 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I will reserve judgement until the end of the off-season. 

More moves to come... I assume.  

The off-season is barely started and there are gaping holes to fill in the current 40-man roster, so more moves are a certainty.

I don't see jettisoning Urshela as particularly key to some soon-to-come move, though.  I believe today was a league deadline, to tender or not tender players.  This trade just clarifies matters for the Twins and the Angels alike.

[Major League Ready]

16 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

#15 for Fangraphs. The description I saw said average fastball, good curve, minus changeup. If his changeup has improved his prospect stock would also rise.

Not sure which of Arraez and Miranda gets 3B, the other will get 1B.

I liked Urshela and I think they probably could have received just as much at the deadline. A little disappointed in this trade.

They played Miranda at 3B with Arraez at 1B last year so that probably answers your question.  

[ashbury]

2 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

They played Miranda at 1B with Arraez at 1B last year so that probably answers your question.  

I dunno.  Doing that may have raised more questions than it answers.  ?

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Same. I'd be thrilled with a highly random outcome player in return (put Wallner in RF at this point, or Larnach).

My thinking is that the team acquiring Max might demand the highly random outcome player as the sweetener. ?

[Major League Ready]

Does this move mean they will pick-up a rule player?  Not that it would be part of the reason to do it.  Just curious.

[DJL44]

5 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

They played Miranda at 1B with Arraez at 1B last year so that probably answers your question.  

They were better off playing Urshela at 3B last year but he's gone now so that's not an option.

Assuming they don't add a different player for third I would lean toward playing Arraez at 3B. He's a much better defender than Miranda so it makes sense to give him the more difficult defensive position.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

8 minutes ago, roger said:

Interesting, very!

Count me among those who's eyes told me he was better defensively than some of the new numbers suggest.  I thought he was fantastic.  Also was pleasantly surprised at how well he hit.  

But this trade accomplishes a lot: 1) opens third base for Miranda, full time; 2) takes Miranda out of the mix at first, clearing it for Arraez, full time, or in some type of platoon with AK; 3) Takes another $9+M off the books; and 4) returns a young prospect who it appears doesn't require a 40-man spot, ie, opening another spot on the roster.  That's the type of move many here appear to like, I sure as heck do.

Should Miranda not be adequate at third, the Twins have both Lewis and Lee on the verge of taking that final step.  Sure seems responsible for management to have one penciled in at short and the other at third, should Miranda not be entrenched there.

I don't know what the future holds for the kid coming back.  But he is young and hopefully, will contend for a spot in the rotation three or so years from now.  Ranked at #22 at his young age must mean that he has some promise.

But we Twins fans should also BEWARE!  This is the type of move one would expect should the Front Office have decided to rebuild.

A lot of logic in this response...  But it feels like the return was a bit low.

This move also smells to me of a rebuild, but I will withhold judgement.  If we start seeing Kepler go for nothing and Polanco go... this ride will start to get very bumpy 

[Dave The Dastardly]

21 minutes ago, notoriousgod71 said:

Our training staff makes sure there is never a log jam at any position.

So does the custodians.

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

A lot of logic in this response...  But it feels like the return was a bit low.

This move also smells to me of a rebuild, but I will withhold judgement.  If we start seeing Kepler go for nothing and Polanco go... this ride will start to get very bumpy 

Rebuild? The guy was signed for 1 more year, and they have Miranda, Lewis, and Lee available for third, maybe Arraez. What says rebuild about this at all? On what planet is there even a rumor of Polanco going?

[Fire Dan Gladden]

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

They were better off playing Urshela at 3B last year but he's gone now so that's not an option.

Assuming they don't add a different player for third I would lean toward playing Arraez at 3B. He's a much better defender than Miranda so it makes sense to give him the more difficult defensive position.

I don't think Arraez is a long term option at 3B, doubt his knees will hold up to the rigors.  1B may be the best fit for him.

[DJL44]

Some speculation at MLBTradeRumors that the Angels intend to have Urshela play SS since they have Rendon at 3B.