TODAY: The Tigers introduced at this time that Urshela has cleared outright waivers and has been positioned on launch waivers. Within the probably occasion that Urshela clears launch waivers, he’ll change into a free agent and be eligible to signal with any of the league’s golf equipment for a pro-rated portion of the massive league minimal.
August 16: The Tigers introduced at this time that they’ve chosen the contracts of infielders Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney, strikes that have been reported yesterday. In corresponding strikes, outfielder Akil Baddoo was optioned to Triple-A Toledo and infielder Gio Urshela was designated for task. To open one other 40-man spot, left-hander Easton Lucas was designated for task. Robert Murray of FanSided reported the Urshela transfer on X previous to the official announcement.
Urshela, 32, reached free company for the primary time after the 2023 season. He had a strong four-year run within the huge leagues from 2019 to 2022 however then had an injury-marred 2023 marketing campaign. He acquired into 62 video games with the Angels, hitting simply two residence runs earlier than a pelvic fracture worn out the second half of his season.
That was naturally going to impression his particular person market however he additionally had the misfortune of being part of one of many frostier offseasons in current reminiscence. Even big-name free brokers lingered on the open market effectively into the brand new 12 months. Many gamers beneath the celebrity stage ended up settling for very modest offers within the early components of 2024. Guys like Michael A. Taylor, Enrique Hernández, Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk and others settled for one-year offers of lower than $5MM.
The Tigers have been in a position to nab Urshela for a assure of simply $1.5MM on a one-year deal. Although his 2023 season wasn’t nice, they have been probably excited to get a strong veteran at such a low worth level. As talked about, Urshela had a powerful four-year run previous to 2023, spending time with the Yankees and Twins. In that stretch, he hit 54 residence runs in 435 video games and slashed .290/.336/.463 for a wRC+ of 118.
He spent most of that point at third base and customarily had the repute of a powerful defender. Bizarrely, Outs Above Common hates him and gave him a grade of -17 in that 2019-22 interval, however Defensive Runs Saved gave him a strong grade of +5.
If the Tigers acquired something near that sort of efficiency for his or her modest funding, it will have been a steal. Sadly, Urshela has not been in a position to bounce again as hoped. He has been in 92 video games for Detroit this 12 months with 5 residence runs and a modest batting line of .243/.286/.333. That interprets to a 73 wRC+, indicating he’s been 27% beneath league common on the plate this 12 months.
Detroit is 7.5 video games again of a playoff spot, which isn’t a completely hopeless place, however they’re clearly centered on the longer term at this level. Previous to the deadline, they traded away Jack Flaherty, Carson Kelly, Andrew Chafin and Mark Canha. They will use the rest of the schedule to get Jung and Sweeney uncovered to main league pitching, which is able to nudge Urshela out of their plans.
Because the commerce deadline has come and gone, they are going to haven’t any selection however to position Urshela on waivers within the coming days. He has about $345K of his wage nonetheless to be paid out, which means a claiming staff wouldn’t be taking up big quantities of cash by grabbing him. Nevertheless, given his efficiency each final 12 months and this 12 months, it’s attainable that he passes by way of unclaimed. He has been sizzling of late, with a .265/.342/.412 batting line and 108 wRC+ in August, however that’s a pattern of simply 38 plate appearances amid a tough two-year stretch.
If he passes by way of unclaimed, he has greater than sufficient service time to reject an outright task whereas preserving that wage in place. If he finally ends up a free agent, the Tigers could be on the hook for that cash. Every other membership might signal him for the prorated league minimal, which might be subtracted from what the Tigers pay.
Lucas, 27, was simply claimed off waivers from the Athletics in Could. Since that declare, he has made three appearances for the Tigers with two earned runs allowed, two strikeouts and two walks. Mixed together with his time with the A’s, he now has 13 2/3 main league innings pitched with a 9.22 earned run common.
His minor league work this 12 months has been way more attention-grabbing. Between the 2 organizations, he has thrown 49 Triple-A innings with a 3.31 ERA. The 11.2% stroll charge is on the excessive aspect however he’s countered that with a 25.2% strikeout charge.
Lucas nonetheless has a full slate of choices and fewer than a 12 months of service time. For any membership intrigued by his Triple-A numbers this 12 months, he may very well be a long-term depth piece. Like Urshela, he should be positioned on waivers within the coming days because the commerce deadline has handed. Lucas has a earlier profession outright, which might give him the best to elect free company if he finally passes by way of waivers unclaimed.
