Urías should be closing in on a roster spot with his .261/.393/.435 line this spring. Today’s start was his fifth at second base this spring, compared to three at third. We’d rather see him take playing time away from Gio Urshela than Zack Gelof, but he’ll probably be a true backup initially. That all three are right-handed hitters doesn’t make for any quality platoon scenarios.

The deal was rumored over the weekend and is now official. It’s a major league contract for Urías, who has no minor league options left, which means that he is going to make the opening day roster. Even though Urías will provide support for Zack Gelof in case the youngster struggles again in 2025, there is a chance that Urías could also beat out Gio Urshela for the starting third base job. Both of those veterans can’t be sent to the minors without clearing waivers, so it’s likely that one of them is the starter with the other serving as a utility infielder off the bench.

This could be a minor league deal, but no news from the A’s yet. Last season, Urías hit .191/.303/.394 in 41 games for the Mariners, which actually worked out to a 105 OPS+. He’s gotten quite a bit worse defensively since he entered the league, but the bat is solid, even if it produces low averages. He might prove to be a better option at third than Gio Urshela.

It sounds like the Twins preferred Urías or DeJong for the roster spot, but those two were holding out for more money. France settled for $1 million on a non-guaranteed deal.