MLB Insider Reveals The Angels’ Plan For Gio Urshela

The Los Angeles Angels made another solid trade with contention in mind for the 2023 campaign, acquiring third baseman/shortstop Gio Urshela from the Minnesota Twins for a minor leaguer.

Urshela’s first position is third base and has been for a few years now.

However, that spot is covered by Anthony Rendon on the Angels.

If healthy, Rendon carries significant offensive upside.

So what will the Angels do with their newly-acquired infielder?

“Angels plan to plan Urshela every day, and it’s possible he may become their starting SS. Manager Phil Nevin loved him when they were together with the Yankees,” MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted.

Angels plan to plan Urshela every day, and it’s possible he may become their starting SS. Msnsger Phil Nevin loved him when they were together with the Yankees.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 18, 2022

There you have it: the Angels don’t have a set shortstop for next campaign, so Urshela is expected to fill the role.

A Good Offensive Player

He is an adequate fielding third baseman, and while he can play shortstop, he should be below-average.

As long as he is not atrocious, the Angels will probably live with it.

With the bat, there are no issues nor surprises: Urshela won’t win an MVP or even a Silver Slugger, but he is an above-average offensive performer who will bring some stability to the position.

Last season with the Twins, he hit .285/.338/.429 with 13 home runs and a 119 wRC+.

wRC+ means weighted Runs Created +, and it’s adjusted to help us compare players to the league average offensive performance, set at 100.

It means Urshela was 19 percent better than the average hitter last season, which is solid.

Urshela hasn’t played shortstop regularly in the majors, other than a handful of innings (200, to be exact) with the New York Yankees in 2021.

He was good, but not great.

At 31 years old, he still should have a few prime seasons remaining.

Overall, it’s a nice addition by the Angels.