Derek Shelton and the Minnesota Twins kick off Spring Training practices this week in Fort Myers. It hasn’t been an exciting offseason for fans, but a new season allows hope to spring eternal.

There are still plenty of question marks surrounding this group.. Derek Falvey left the organization rather than continue to try and work under such tight restrictions. The group assembled may not have a shortstop, and still leaves the bullpen largely scaled back.

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Minnesota is trying to build on the fringes, and that’s the exact sort of scenario in which you’d see a reunion with Gio Urshela.

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Gio Urshela back to the Minnesota Twins

This offseason the MN Twins have done everything they can to add low wattage talent. Redundancies between Eric Wagaman, Ryan Kreidler, and Tristan Gray seem substantial, but all have spots on the 40-man roster. Orlando Arcia joined on a minor league deal to fight for a roster spot, and now, so too will Gio Urshela.

Urshela played one season for the Minnesota Twins back in 2022. That year Rocco Baldelli’s club went 78-84, which coincidentally might be a best-case scenario for the current collection.

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During his time with Minnesota, Urshela’s walk-up song (Where I Belong – Building 429) became a galvanizing anthem in the ballpark. Playing a career-high 144 games, he posted a 119 OPS+.

That season Urshela batted .285/.338/.429 with 27 doubles and 13 home runs. Unfortunately, that was the last time he looked competent offensively. The past three seasons have all been below league-average, and his 71 OPS+ in 59 games last year with the Athletics may have been a bottoming out.

MN Twins offensive openings

The signing of Urshela is a curious one. There’s never a bad minor league deal, especially considering Minnesota is out nothing if and when he doesn’t make the roster. That said, a path to playing time seems difficult to envision.

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Urshela has really never played anywhere but corner infield. Royce Lewis is the starter at third base, and any number of players could back him up. First base can be manned by Kody Clemens and Josh Bell, as well as sprinkling in Victor Caratini.

It’s possible that Urshela is a better option than Kreidler, Gray, or Wagaman, but the Minnesota Twins also prioritized each one of those talents in one way or another. Last season Urshela was worth -7 DRS (defensive runs saved) and -3 OAA (outs above average), so it’s not like he’s got defense to hang his hat on either.

Expect Shelton to give Urshela plenty of at bats this spring. The 10 year veteran will need to find his 30-year-old self if the 34-year-old version wants to make the team though.

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