Tigers insider floats Orioles infielder as potential Andy Ibáñez upgrade

Ever since they missed out on Alex Bregman during free agency last offseason, it's been no secret that the Detroit Tigers could use a right-handed bat at third base.

The Tigers continue to be linked to Bregman in trade rumors in the (admittedly unlikely) event that the Boston Red Sox opt to deal him. They have also been rumored to be a potential landing spot for Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and current Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez.

However, going "all in" at the deadline doesn't necessarily mean targeting only the big-name trade targets. Detroit may be scouring the market beyond the proverbial big fish to find an infield bat that meets their needs.

Tigers insider floats Orioles infielder as potential Andy Ibáñez upgrade

Discussing the Tigers' deadline approach on the Days of Roar podcast, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press threw out an additional, under-the-radar name for the club to consider.

“I think you put all the chips in,” Petzold said of the Tigers’ trade deadline strategy. “But do the Tigers go a different route? Maybe they go the Ramón Urías route, where you get a right-handed hitting infielder. He hits against left-handed pitchers. He’s an offensive upgrade from a guy like Andy Ibáñez. Those are some not-so-big-boy names that maybe protect that long-term sustainability, but maybe don’t offer you the best chance to win the World Series in 2025.”

Urías is currently playing in his sixth Major League season, all with the Baltimore Orioles. His best season came during his Gold Glove campaign in 2022 in which he slashed .248/.305/.414 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI, posting a bWAR of 3.8 in just 118 games. This year, he's slashing .244/.294/.368 with six home runs and 29 RBI while continuing to play strong defense at third base (with an ability to fill in at first and second as well).

The 31-year-old Urías also has one more year of arbitration eligibility, so he can bring valuable infield depth to the Tigers beyond 2025. He may not be the sexiest option or carry the name recognition of a Bregman or a Suárez, but perhaps he could be the missing piece the Tigers have been seeking in the infield and in the batting order. After all, this team has largely been successful thanks to the contributions of Swiss Army-types. Urías is exactly that.

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