Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals New Gold Glover Reveals Why He Came to St. Louis

This veteran should be a nice addition on multiple fronts
Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Ramon Urias (29) reacts after hitting into a fielder's choice to score the winning run against the Baltimore Orioles during the 12th inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Ramon Urias (29) reacts after hitting into a fielder's choice to score the winning run against the Baltimore Orioles during the 12th inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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Ramón Urías seems to fit the St. Louis Cardinals like a glove, and he felt the same way about how the organization suited his needs as a seven-year veteran.

Urías has some accolades to his name, mainly his Gold Glove at third base in 2022 with the Baltimore Orioles, plus 11.2 bWAR in his first 541 major league games. But he was coming off a below-average offensive season, and given that it took him until Saturday to finalize a guaranteed contract, he clearly didn't have the most enticing market this winter.

Urías sounded off on his fit with the Cardinals on Sunday, and his reasoning reflected why St. Louis fans should have confidence that the low-risk signing will pay reasonable dividends.

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Urías seeking full-circle moment in St. Louis

Ramón Urías
Sep 24, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Ramon Urias (29) throws the ball to first to record an out against the Athletics in the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Urías first made the obvious concession that the one-year, $2 million guarantee he got from St. Louis was probably the most secure financial commitment he was going to get, and with the Cardinals not widely expected to contend, he'll likely get reasonably consistent playing time.

“I think it's a good opportunity to show that I can still stay in the big leagues,” Urías said, per Brian Murphy of MLB.com.

Urías was also a Cardinals farmhand for two years, before he was designated for assignment in February of 2020 and claimed by the Orioles. Part of his motivation this year is to close the circle on that first stint and finally lace up his cleats for St. Louis in the majors.

"I always had that on the back of my mind, so thankfully I can accomplish that now,” Urías said, per Murphy. “It was one of the main reasons. The Cardinals are a team with great history. Always been a great team. It was an easy choice.”

As he looks to prove he belongs in the league beyond his age-32 season, Urías will also have a hand in ushering in the next generation of Cardinals infielders, so he really has a chance to make a lasting impact on an organization that helped him achieve his goals.

More MLB: Cardinals' Ramón Urías Signing Will Have Real Impact on JJ Wetherholt

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Jackson Roberts
JACKSON ROBERTS

Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living. A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding St. Louis Cardinals On SI, please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org