Tigers actually make a smart move at the 'hot corner'

Gio Urshela.

The Detroit Tigers feel confident that they can make noise in the American League Central this season, and why not?

After years of terrible baseball, Detroit flirted with a .500 record last season at 78-84. Although that’s a very low bar, it was a step in the right direction for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014. It was also important because several young players such as first baseman Spencer Torkelson and outfielder/designated hitter Kerry Carpenter seemed to come into their own.

It became clear this offseason that president of baseball operations Scott Harris and manager A.J. Hinch were content to see if they could win the division this season off the strength of their rising young stars (which should include outfielder Riley Greene as he comes back from a elbow injury), but there has been a glaring lack of competency at third base in Detroit’s offseason plans.

It seemed like the Tigers were content to go with a platoon at third, but there have been questions as to whether a mix of utility players Matt Vierling and Zach McKinstry would be able to get the job done.

Cue this signing and it seems as if Harris really wasn’t comfortable with a platoon. The Tigers announced that they inked veteran infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, and boom, Detroit’s hole at third base could very well be plugged.

Urshela can play multiple positions, but considering the need, it would make sense for Hinch to slot him in as the everyday third baseman in an effort to give this young team some stability at the hot corner.

Going into his ninth MLB season, Urshela hit .299 with two home runs and 24 RBI in just 60 games last season for the Los Angeles Angels.

He has a career slash line of .277/.322/.423 with 64 career home runs and 280 RBI.

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