SEATTLE — It didn’t exactly qualify as a big-name acquisition, but when the trade deadline finally arrived Tuesday, the lone Red Sox newcomer was veteran infielder Luis Urias.
Minutes before the deadline, the Red Sox obtained Urias from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitching prospect Bradley Blalock.
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For the time being, Urias has been optioned to Triple A Worcester. But it’s conceivable he could play a role for the parent club before the 2023 season is over.
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Urias, 26, has played in the big leagues for parts of six seasons — the first two with San Diego and the last four with Milwaukee. His best season came in 2021 with the Brewers when he hit 23 homers and knocked in 75 runs while slashing .249/.345/.445.
But after another decent season a year ago (16 homers in 119 games), Urias began the 2023 season poorly and was sent to the minor leagues, where he was playing at the time of the trade. In the field, he profiles as a versatile player capable of playing third, short and second. At second base, where he would presumably see the most playing time with the Red Sox, he’s saved two defensive runs above average in 130 career games.
“Good player, good defender, good offensive player,” summarized Alex Cora. “It hasn’t happened for him this year. It’s been up-and-down. He’s swinging the bat better at Triple A (lately), but we saw him last year. He’s got a very short, compact swing. Good player.”
Barring an injury, Urias’s addition to the major league roster would have to come at someone else’s expense.
With Trevor Story likely set to be activated Friday, the Red Sox will have to clear a roster spot for him by moving another middle infielder from among the trio of Yu Chang, Pablo Reyes and Christian Arroyo.
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On the surface, Chang would seem to the most vulnerable. He was batting just .158 heading into Tuesday’s action and sports a career OPS of just .624. But Chang is also the most defensively sound of the three at short, and because the Sox will have to manage Story’s workload carefully initially, they might want Chang to remain to serve as Story’s backup at the position.
Then, should Urias get added, the Sox will again find themselves in a number’s crunch. Reyes is a better option at second base than Chang. Unfortunately, Chang, Reyes, Arroyo and Urias all hit righthanded, eliminating the potential for a platoon.
Arroyo has underperformed this season with a .695 OPS. But he has a habit of producing big hits and is also sure-handed at the position, with just three career errors at second in 151 career starts at the position.
