The Boston Red Sox are seemingly still trying to up their game in the infield. Despite recent reports of confidence in Bobby Dalbec, a new infield target has emerged.
Boston has shown interest in former Yankee third baseman/utility player Gio Urshela. The Sox are among many teams interested in Urshela and they reportedly haven't pursued him aggressively, but they're eyeing him as a solid backup infielder.
The Colombia native spent his 2023 season with the Angels and batted .299/.329/.374 over 62 games, quite a small sample size. He posted a rather low slugging percentage last year compared to the majority of his career — he's logged a .423 career slugging percentage. Urshela strikes out at a lower rate than most and he collected just 36 strikeouts in his 214 at-bats from 2023. A hip injury ended his 2023 prematurely, but the veteran is known for his contact bat and defensive versatility.
Urshela has played the vast majority of his games at third base but can be shuffled around the infield when necessary. He's played all of the infield positions along with some short stints in the outfield.
Didn’t touch on this today, but I’d be down for the Red Sox to sign Gio Urshela. Hard working player, was a fan favorite in New York, can play all over the infield, and hits lefties well.
— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) February 22, 2024
683 PA, .290 AVG (.373 in 2023), 109 WRC+ (136 in 23’) pic.twitter.com/8lzQF3WxK3
Boston's interest in Urshela may not bode well for another utility infielder the Sox are already working with. Dalbec has been the subject of praise from manager Alex Cora recently. The skipper believes Dalbec has a real shot at making the Opening Day roster, which comes as a shock to some fans as he spent all but 21 games in Triple-A last season.
When explaining why he believes Dalbec could earn a spot in the roster this season, Cora explained that he can back up Rafael Devers at third base or Triston Casas at first — both are positions Urshela could handle if he's picked up. Dalbec has been taking reps in the outfield this spring training, so the Sox may be trying to stretch his utility even further. However, Urshela also has outfield experience.
Again, Boston isn't close to signing the veteran, but if a deal is done, Dalbec's place on the roster may be, too.
Red Sox interest in Gio Urshela may not be a good sign for Bobby Dalbec, Eric Hosmer announced his retirement
A former Red Sox first baseman announced his retirement on Feb. 21. Eric Hosmer will be hanging up his spikes and calling it a career after 13 years in MLB.
Hosmer spent most of his career with the Royals where he earned Rookie of the Year votes, two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, MVP votes, an All-Star nod, and a World Series title in 2015. He also starred in the Padres lineup from 2018 until the middle of the 2022 season, when he was shipped to Boston to play first base.
Just after the news of his retirement broke, Hosmer announced he's created a sports media company called MoonBall Media and that he'll be hosting its first project, a podcast called The Diggin' Deep Podcast.
Hosmer only made 14 appearances for the Red Sox in 2022 and 31 for the Cubs in 2023. Most of Hosmer's acclaim comes from the beginning of his career with the Royals where he'll always be remembered as a key piece of their playoff teams in 2014-15.