ANAHEIM — The Angels have been looking to add to their overall depth this offseason and did just that on Friday, acquiring third baseman Gio Urshela from the Twins in exchange for Minor League right-hander Alejandro Hidalgo.
Urshela, 31, gives the Angels a veteran third baseman who also has some experience at shortstop and first base. He’s coming off a solid year, as he batted .285/.338/.429 with 13 homers, 27 doubles and 64 RBIs in a career-high 144 games with Minnesota last season.
TRADE DETAILS
Angels receive: 3B Gio Urshela
Twins receive: RHP Alejandro Hidalgo
The Angels were hurt by a lack of quality depth last year, as they couldn’t withstand injuries to third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Mike Trout. First baseman Jared Walsh also dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome all season, which limited his production and led to season-ending surgery in early September. Urshela can now move around the infield and fill that need, while also playing third when needed for Rendon, who has had a history of injuries since joining the club in 2020.
Urshela is headed into his last year of arbitration and was a non-tender candidate because he’s due for a raise next season. He earned $6.55 million last year and is likely to earn more than $9 million this season. But it’s another indication the Angels are willing to spend this offseason after also signing lefty Tyler Anderson on a three-year deal worth $39 million earlier this week.
To make room for Urshela on the 40-man roster, left-hander Jhonathan Diaz was designated for assignment. Diaz, 26, has posted a 3.49 ERA in 28 1/3 innings over the last two seasons with the Angels.
Hidalgo, meanwhile, made 10 starts for Single-A Inland Empire last year, posting a 4.62 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 39 innings. The 19-year-old, who was ranked as the Angels’ No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has a career 4.64 ERA in two seasons in the Minors, with 89 strikeouts in 66 innings.