In the upcoming 2024 season, Gio Urshela, known for his solid performances with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Angels, is poised to join the Detroit Tigers. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Tigers and Urshela have agreed on a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.

Jon Heyman from The New York Post mentioned that there are additional incentives included in Urshela’s contract with the Tigers. As reported by Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press, he stands to earn an extra $500K if he meets a certain plate appearance milestone. Last season, the 32-year-old infielder played for the Los Angeles Angels, where he boasted a .299 batting average along with two home runs, 24 RBI, a .703 OPS, and a 0.8 WAR in 62 games. However, his season was cut short due to a pelvic fracture, causing him to miss the entire second half of the campaign.

After spending most of his career as a fixture in the New York Yankees’ lineup, the seasoned player found himself a free agent for the first time this winter.

The Tigers faced competition from teams like the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Miami Marlins for Urshela’s talents. Back in 2018, the Yankees took a chance on Urshela following his less remarkable stints with the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. However, Urshela quickly established himself as the Yankees’ regular third baseman in 2019, making an immediate impact with impressive statistics. During that season, he boasted a .314 batting average with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, an .889 OPS, and a 3.8 WAR across 132 games. He continued his effectiveness in the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19, hitting .298 with six home runs, 30 RBI, an .858 OPS, and a 2.0 WAR over 43 appearances.

In 2021, Urshela experienced a downturn in his performance and was sidelined for nearly 50 games due to various reasons. Subsequently, the Yankees traded him to the Minnesota Twins during the offseason, where he showed signs of improvement, raising his batting average, OPS, and WAR from .267, .720, and 0.6 to .285, .767, and 3.1, respectively.

After being traded to the Anaheim team and facing a season marred by injuries in 2023, Urshela amassed 608 hits, 64 home runs, 280 RBI, and a 9.1 WAR in his Major League Baseball career. Throughout his career, he maintains a lifetime .277 batting average with a .745 OPS. Notably, he has excelled against left-handed pitchers, boasting a .290 batting average and .773 OPS against them, making him an ideal addition to the Tigers’ lineup for the 2024 season.

In Detroit, Urshela is poised to compete for the starting third base position, with Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling emerging as his primary challengers. Alongside 35-year-old outfielder Matt Canha and 31-year-old shortstop Javier Báez, Urshela will bring veteran presence to an otherwise youthful Tigers lineup.