Gio Urshela – Athletics Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Giovanny “Gio” Urshela, the Colombian infielder now with the Oakland Athletics, has built his reputation as a steady third baseman in MLB. Born October 11, 1991, Urshela has bounced around a bit—he’s played for the Yankees and Twins before landing with the A’s.

His journey from Colombia to the big leagues really speaks to his grit and talent. You can see the determination in the way he plays.

Urshela’s current contract with the Athletics pays him $2.15 million, plus up to $400,000 in incentives. That deal matches his value as a veteran infielder who brings solid defense and batting experience. Sure, his 2024 batting average is .227—definitely below his career .271—but teams still want him for his glove and the way he fits in the clubhouse.

He’s not one of baseball’s mega-earners, but Urshela has still put together a nice financial track record. His estimated net worth is over $22 million, built from contracts with bigger-name teams. Urshela’s money story is a lot like his playing career: nothing flashy, just steady and dependable.

Early Life and Background

Gio Urshela started his baseball path in Colombia. He grew up in an environment where family support and early exposure to the game really set him up for a professional career.

During his younger years, Urshela worked hard to develop his fielding and baseball smarts.

Childhood and Family

Born Giovanny Urshela Salcedo on October 11, 1991, in Cartagena, Colombia, Gio grew up in a region where baseball has a real following—especially along the coast.

That Caribbean coast has produced several MLB players, so Urshela had role models and a community that encouraged his baseball dreams.

His family backed him up from the beginning. While there’s not a ton of public info about his parents and siblings, their influence clearly shaped his disciplined approach.

From a young age, Urshela showed a knack for sports, naturally gravitating toward baseball—even in a place where soccer often dominates.

Amateur Career and Early Baseball Influences

Scouts started noticing Urshela during his teen years as he played in local Colombian leagues. Unlike some Latin American prospects who go through baseball academies, Urshela took a more grassroots route, playing in community competitions where his defense stood out.

He built a reputation for his soft hands and strong arm. Those skills became his calling card.

Urshela looked up to Colombian MLB players, using their success as motivation.

He signed as an undrafted free agent—not through the MLB draft, which is actually pretty common for international players. That signing kicked off his professional journey and eventual rise to the majors.

Professional MLB Career

Gio Urshela’s career has taken him across several teams. He started out as a defensive specialist, but over time, he became a reliable all-around player.

His career features some impressive defensive highlights, clutch hits, and a steady increase in offensive production as he matured in MLB.

Debut and Rise with the Cleveland Guardians

Urshela debuted in the majors with Cleveland (then the Indians) on June 9, 2015, after signing with them back in 2008. When he got called up, he immediately showed off his defense at third base, though his bat lagged behind.

In 2015, he played 81 games, hit just .225, and knocked out 6 home runs. The next year, he spent most of his time in Triple-A Columbus while Cleveland made their World Series run.

Despite his glove, Urshela’s lack of offense kept him from locking down a permanent spot with the Guardians.

By 2017, he found himself behind other young infielders, making only 19 big league appearances that season.

Trade to Toronto Blue Jays

In May 2018, Cleveland designated Urshela for assignment and traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash. This was a short stop, but it mattered for his career.

With Toronto, Urshela played 19 games, hit .233, and kept showing off his defense at third. His stint with the Blue Jays didn’t last long, but it set up what came next.

The Blue Jays sold his contract to the New York Yankees in August 2018. At the time, it seemed like a small move, but it turned into a major turning point for Urshela and the Yankees.

Breakout Years with the New York Yankees

Urshela’s career really took off with the New York Yankees in 2019. Injuries to Miguel Andújar gave him a shot at regular playing time, and he ran with it—hitting .314 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs, all while flashing great defense.

Yankees fans quickly grew to love his clutch hitting and steady glove. He was part of the “Next Man Up” group with DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit when big names like Stanton and Judge went down.

In the shortened 2020 season, Urshela kept it going, batting .298 with 6 home runs in 43 games. He made his mark in the postseason, too—he hit a grand slam in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against Cleveland.

In 2021, Urshela hit .267 with 14 homers and played all over the infield. After the season, the Yankees traded him and Gary Sánchez to Minnesota for Josh Donaldson.

Tenures with Twins, Angels, and Marlins

Urshela joined the Minnesota Twins in 2022 and put up solid numbers—.285 average, 13 home runs, 64 RBIs in 144 games. He became a dependable everyday player there.

After that, he got traded to the Los Angeles Angels, where he was supposed to bring stability alongside stars like Mike Trout. Urshela played 62 games for the Angels in 2023, hitting .299 before a pelvic fracture in June ended his season early.

The Miami Marlins picked him up for the 2024 season, signing him to a one-year contract. Then, for 2025, Urshela signed with the Athletics on a one-year, $2,150,000 contract. He continues as a respected veteran infielder with a steady bat and trusted glove.

Contracts, Trades, and Free Agency

Gio Urshela’s career has included several key contract negotiations and team changes. His market value has shifted with his performance, injuries, and what teams needed at the time.

Contract History and Major Signings

Urshela started out with a modest deal when he signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent in 2008. He didn’t get his first major league contract until years later, after working his way through the minors.

His career really changed with the Yankees, where his performance led to salary bumps through arbitration. In 2022, he earned about $6.55 million with the Minnesota Twins.

For 2023, Urshela signed a one-year, $8.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. His more recent deals have been short-term, including a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Tigers for 2024.

Trades and Team Changes

Urshela’s MLB path has taken him through several organizations, showing his versatility and just how much player movement happens in baseball.

He debuted with Cleveland in 2015 after signing with them as a teenager. After limited playing time, Cleveland traded him to Toronto in May 2018.

The key moment came when the Yankees acquired him from Toronto in August 2018. Urshela thrived in New York from 2019 to 2021.

In March 2022, the Yankees traded Urshela and Gary Sánchez to the Twins for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt. After a season with Minnesota, Urshela went to the Angels, then briefly joined the Braves in 2024 before signing with Detroit.

2024-25 MLB Offseason and Free Agent Status

After playing for the Detroit Tigers in 2024, Urshela elected free agency and entered the 2024-25 offseason looking for a new team.

He landed a one-year, $2.15 million contract with the Oakland Athletics for 2025. This deal is fully guaranteed, which gives him some security.

At 33 years old in 2025, Urshela brings defensive versatility—mainly at third base—and a contact-oriented bat. Detroit didn’t make him a qualifying offer, but his reasonable contract made him appealing to Oakland, who wanted experienced infield depth without a long-term commitment.

The A’s added Urshela as part of their plan to mix in veteran presence and keep payroll flexible.

Career Achievements and Performance

Gio Urshela has carved out a spot as a valuable major league infielder, mostly thanks to his defense and knack for clutch hits. Over the years, he’s shown steady growth and versatility, making him a player teams want around.

Notable Statistics and Highlights

Urshela’s offensive breakout came with the Yankees in 2019—he hit .314 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs. That was a huge jump from his earlier numbers and showed he could hit in the middle of a lineup.

His career batting average sits at .271, which says a lot about his consistency. During his time with the Yankees, he was known for timely hits and gap power.

In 2022 with the Twins, he kept up the production: .285 average, 13 homers. Urshela’s ability to make contact and avoid strikeouts has always been a big part of his approach.

Even in 2023, with some struggles, Urshela still contributed as a professional third baseman with his defense and situational hitting.

Key Postseason Moments and Impact

Most of Urshela’s postseason experience came with the Yankees. In the 2019 playoffs, he came up with clutch hits against the Twins in the ALDS and helped New York move on.

His biggest playoff moment? That came in Game 2 of the 2019 ALDS, when he hit a crucial home run to help the Yankees win. That performance really cemented his reputation as someone who can deliver under pressure.

His teams haven’t made it to the World Series during his time, but Urshela has always played well in the postseason. He stays calm and sticks to his approach when the stakes are highest.

Urshela’s postseason batting average is actually higher than his regular season numbers, which says a lot about his ability to step up.

Defensive Excellence and Utility Value

People around the league see Urshela as an elite defensive third baseman. His range and arm strength stand out.

Defensive metrics consistently put him among the top at his position. Urshela’s soft hands and quick reflexes have saved a lot of runs over his career.

He’s also shown he can handle shortstop and second base when needed, making him a valuable utility player. That flexibility matters for teams looking for defensive versatility.

Urshela makes tough plays look routine, and his teammates and even opponents have noticed. Managers keep trusting him in late-game spots where defense is critical.

Net Worth and Personal Life

Gio Urshela has made a solid fortune over his MLB career, though he tends to keep his personal life under wraps. He’s built his financial portfolio through baseball contracts, some endorsements here and there, and a few personal interests outside baseball.

Estimated Net Worth and Earnings

Right now, Urshela’s net worth sits at about $26 million as of 2025. Most of that comes straight from his time in the majors, where he’s earned nearly $26 million so far.

He’s currently playing for the Athletics, pulling in a $2.15 million annual salary. That’s a pretty notable chunk of their payroll for infield talent.

Since debuting in 2015, Urshela’s earnings have climbed quite a bit. He really hit his stride with the Yankees, which opened the door for bigger contracts.

Baseball payroll analysts say Urshela’s market value hasn’t dipped much, even when his performance has gone up and down a bit. Teams still value his steady defense at third base.

Endorsements and Off-Field Ventures

Urshela isn’t exactly a household name when it comes to endorsements, but he’s landed a few solid sponsorships over the years. Most of these deals focus on baseball gear or Colombian brands that want to connect with fans back home.

He keeps things pretty quiet on social media compared to a lot of players, and that’s probably held him back from some bigger marketing deals. Still, that low-key approach seems to suit him.

He’s put money into real estate in both Colombia and the U.S. According to Yahoo Finance, he takes a careful, conservative approach to managing his wealth, preferring stability over flashy risks.

Urshela has shown interest in supporting baseball development programs in Colombia. He might even set himself up for a future in player development or training once his playing days wind down.

Charity Work and Personal Interests

Urshela married Danna Delgado, and the two keep their family life pretty low-key. Every now and then, they’ll post a photo or two on social media, usually when baseball isn’t in full swing.

He takes a lot of pride in being Colombian. Urshela jumps into charitable projects back home, especially in Cartagena, where he grew up.

He’s helped out youth baseball programs there, handing out gear and making sure kids have coaching support. You can tell he cares about giving back, even if he doesn’t talk about it much.

When the season wraps up, Urshela likes to go fishing. He’s mentioned it in a few interviews, and honestly, it seems like his way to unwind from all the baseball chaos.

He also visits children’s hospitals in cities where he’s played, especially around the holidays. Teammates have noticed how much he commits to the community, even though he mostly keeps to himself in public.