Over the winter, Detroit Tigers’ PoBO Scott Harris emphasized that the young players coming up through the system and near their Detroit debut would not be blocked from playing.
Jace Jung is expected to inherit the 3B position. Possibly at some point during the 2024 season. He had been training extensively at the position with 3 different coaches. Two of them Tigers, including Alan Trammell. And there’s his brother, Josh, who is a Gold Glove caliber 3Ber for the Texas Rangers. Reviews of his play are positive.
The Tigers have been without a regular 3Ber since the beginning of 2023. It was announced that Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez and Zach McInstry would share the position this season.
However, within a week of watching spring training, the Tigers went out and signed free agent Gio Urshela to a 1-year $1.5 mill contract with incentives. He has fully recovered from a broken pelvis and passed his medical exam. He plays 3B primarily but also has some solid experience at SS.
Was this a good move for the Tigers? A stopgap solution until Jung is ready?
Or is there too much risk involved? Should the Tigers have done something bigger and more permanent in the free agent market to fill the 3B slot?
Today’s blog addresses this dilemma and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
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It’s only 1 spring training game but Jace did not impress me. Ibanez could fill the hole both offensively and defensively. Not sure spending over $1M was a smart move.
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This isn’t some blockbuster or needle-mover, but it is a great price for a pro with talent. It also makes the battle for the utility pieces extremely interesting, and increases the possibility of a trade if the Tigers go into the last week of spring training healthy, but another team loses a position player to injury.
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There’s been this assumption that Jung would join the Tigers mid-season despite being expected to learn a new position. Harris has in fact been very conservative about promoting his top prospects and starting the service clock. I take the Urshela signing as a signal that promoting Jace will follow the pattern of leaving Keith on the farm last year. And if Keith struggles with his own new position at second, who knows, Jung might return there himself. I myself have been pretty concerned about the infield defense, and while Gio is no gold glover, he’ll save more runs than 3B by committee which had been planned.
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McWatt nailed it best labeling the move as brilliant. Smart because they were chosen over the Cubs and Sox as Urshella had friends here and saw the opportunity to play a prove it year for a contract. The strategy of his diverse skills to back up Kieth if needed brings more security to the roster. He can spell Javy if needed, more security and another smart move. Add to that that he’s plus defense. And to think Harris contracted him at his lowest AAV and made it team friendly using incentives.
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Signing Gio Ursela was great move. It wll help them no question about it. I have been after them to do that for quite some time.
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Evidently, Gio Urshela was traded by the Yankees and Twins because he was a light hitter, having a good batting average but without power. For the Tigers, who got him as a free agent, his strong fielding makes up for the lack of homers. Having a healthy Gio at third means Jace Jung doesn’t have to be rushed to the Tigers or be pressured to succeed instantly when he arrives. Beyond 2024, Gio could be our utility infielder or be traded for a pitcher. He might be used for a season at short or first, should Baez or Torkelson leave. Lots of interesting options.
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Don Wert comes to mind.
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I think it was a great move. We got a defensively solid glove at 3rd base with a good batting average, at a mere 1.5 million dollars (which for Chris I. is like a drop in the bucket). This gives Jung more time to adapt to a new position, without the pressure of rushing him to the Big League’s. He can also help out at SS and 2nd base. What’s not to like about this?
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that injury scares me…never heard of it before in baseball and need to see him play a bit before convinced that he is good to go
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he’s a capable functional major leaguer whose not a career 4-A player. As he’s underpaid that’s a win-win for fans and all levels of management.
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This was a good move even if it is a stop-gap signing. Urshela is a clear upgrade from what we have at 3rd. We can try to extend him if Jung isn’t a good fit at third.
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