The Minnesota Twins are adding a veteran familiar to their fan base as they round out their offseason roster building. With questions remaining around their infield depth and starting lineup makeup, especially at third base, the organization opted for a low‑risk move that could pay dividends if everything breaks right. Bringing back a former player also adds experience to a crowded spring training mix.
Twins fans were reminded of an old friend this week when a report detailed the latest roster move.
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“Twins have signed Gio Urshela to a minor league deal. Urshela initially joined the Twins from the Yankees in the Josh Donaldson trade and was their primary third baseman in 2022. He was traded to the Angels the next winter. Now he’s 34 and hasn’t hit much the past three years,” wrote Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic on Monday.
Urshela’s 2022 stint in Minnesota remains one of the most memorable seasons of his career. After arriving alongside Gary Sanchez in the trade that sent Josh Donaldson to the New York Yankees, he quickly became the Twins’ everyday third baseman and delivered one of his best offensive years. Though his performance since then has slipped, his familiarity with the organization and defensive versatility could help address uncertainty around the infield.
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Last season was rough by Urshela’s standards. He appeared in 59 games with the Athletics and hit .238 with a .287 on‑base percentage and a .326 slugging percentage, finishing with 20 RBIs and no home runs in 181 at‑bats.
Those numbers were well below the production teams had come to expect from his earlier peak seasons. Urshela originally broke out with the Yankees, where his 2019 campaign featured a .314 batting average, 21 home runs and 74 RBIs, one of the best offensive years of his career. After that peak, he remained a useful bat and steady defender before an injury in 2023 derailed his momentum.
Urshela returns to Minnesota on a minor‑league deal with a non‑roster invite to spring training. He will compete for a role alongside younger players and offer experienced depth should injuries arise or if the Twins need a right‑handed bat off the bench. Minnesota’s infield mix already includes several internal options, but Urshela’s experience could give him an edge if he can rediscover some of his earlier success.
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While the signing does not guarantee a big‑league roster spot, it provides the Twins with a low‑cost, potentially high‑reward veteran presence as they prepare for 2026.