JUPITER, Fla. -- A right-handed-hitting outfielder has been on the Cardinals’ wish list all offseason.
That move might still be to come. But it might not be as much of a necessity in the wake of Saturday’s news that St. Louis has signed a right-handed-hitting infielder.
The Cardinals agreed to a one-year deal with veteran infielder Ramón Urías. The contract carries a mutual option for 2027. Right-handed pitcher Zak Kent was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
The 31-year-old Urías recorded a .241/.292/.384 slash line in 112 games last season split between the Orioles and the Astros. He has a career .724 OPS and 50 home runs through six Major League seasons. But his defensive versatility is what makes him most attractive to the Cardinals.
Here is a look at the ripple effects of this transaction, which span the infield and also impact how the Cardinals handle left field.
Third base
Urías has played the majority of his 541 big league games at third base, with 371 games and 310 starts there. That’s where he won an American League Gold Glove Award in 2022 with the Orioles. Defensively, Urías is a notable upgrade at the hot corner over Nolan Gorman, who recorded minus-9 outs above average last season at third. But president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom quickly shut down any thought that the young slugger’s playing time is at risk.
“I don't think [signing Urías] will get in the way substantively of the opportunity for Nolan,” Bloom said prior to the team’s Grapefruit League opener against the Nationals on Saturday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. “Obviously, we've talked about it a lot -- it’s a big year for him. We know the talent is there. We want to give him that lane, and I think he will have it.”
As a right-handed hitter, Urías could step in for Gorman against left-handed pitchers. But the club is committed to giving the 25-year-old Gorman the chance to show that he can still be the hitter he showed in 2023, when he bashed 27 homers and had a 116 OPS+ in 119 games.
Second base
The Cardinals haven’t announced that JJ Wetherholt, their No. 1 prospect and the No. 5 prospect in MLB per MLB Pipeline, will be their starting second baseman come Opening Day on March 26 vs. the Rays. But that seems like a formality at this point. Manager Oliver Marmol has mentioned Wetherholt as one of the candidates to bat leadoff this season, along with Masyn Winn, Victor Scott II and Lars Nootbaar.
Bringing in Urías isn’t a real threat to Wetherholt’s playing time, either. But creating the possibility for competition is something Marmol likes.
“I don't think you should ever be comfortable in any position,” Marmol said. “There's an aspect of this that there's only so many of these jobs, including mine, and you should wake up every day understanding that and making sure that you're doing everything possible to beat the other 29 [teams]. That goes for myself, coaches, players.
“Yes, we want you to feel good about where you're at, but at the same time not get complacent. I don't mind someone new walking into the room and that being felt a little bit.”
Besides being sure-handed at multiple infield spots, Urías gives this young squad its first position player who is at least 30 years old. He also gives St. Louis more options in left field.
Left field
Thomas Saggese and José Fermín, infielders by trade, have been learning the ropes in left field throughout camp under the tutelage of coach and former Cards outfielder Jon Jay. With Urías on board, those two will concentrate a little more on left, and one could be the Cardinals’ solution for the righty-hitting outfielder they desire.
“There were a ton of conversations around our group being able to get the most out of some of the versatility of our infielders being able to play outfield, and then gaining confidence in what that could look like for Fermín and Saggese,” Marmol said. “It allows us to grab one of the better players on the board right now, who's a good defender that we can plug in at a bunch of different positions.”
Fermín has played six games in the outfield in three seasons with the Cardinals, five of them in left. Saggese hasn’t played on the grass since entering pro ball in 2020, but Marmol has received good feedback on his development, and the 23-year-old is eager to get into a game in left. Marmol said Saggese will get his wish this spring “sooner than later.”