Former Yankees 3B Gio Urshela Traded for Second Straight Offseason

Urshela, who spent three years with the Yankees, is heading to the Angels after one season with the Twins.

Gio Urshela is on the move again.

The former Yankees third baseman has been traded for the second consecutive offseason. Urshela is heading to the Los Angeles Angels for Class A right-hander Alejandro Hidalgo after one year in Minnesota.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to break the news.

Urshela, 31, spent three years with the Yankees before they traded him and catcher Gary Sánchez to the Twins last March. That deal was New York’s biggest move of the offseason, as it brought third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Bronx. But Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa disappointed despite improving the team’s defense at their respective positions, while Rortvedt battled injuries and did not appear in a major league game.

A light-hitting infielder with limited experience with Cleveland and Toronto from 2015-2018, Urshela seized an opportunity with the Yankees in 2019 after third baseman Miguel Andújar injured his shoulder. Thrust into the spotlight, Urshela slashed .314/.355/.534 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI.

Urshela had another strong showing during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, hitting .298/.368/.490 with six home runs and 30 RBI over 43 games. He regressed a bit in 2021, slashing .267/.301/.419 with 14 longballs and 49 RBI in his last campaign with New York.

Urshela posted improved numbers in his lone season with the Twins, putting together a .285/.338/.429 slash line with 13 home runs and 64 RBI.

Urshela’s move to Los Angeles reunites him with Angels manager Phil Nevin and hitting coach Marcus Thames. Both coached Urshela in New York.

While Urshela has mostly played third base since breaking out with the Yankees, he can also man shortstop. That gives the Halos some flexibility, as third baseman Anthony Rendon has battled injuries throughout his Angels career.

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• Hal Steinbrenner Explains Why Trade For Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa Was 'Success'

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