Astros Acquire Veteran Infielder Ramón Urías from Orioles
Houston Bolsters Hot Corner Amidst Injury Concerns
The Houston Astros have reportedly agreed to a deal acquiring infielder Ramón Urías from the Baltimore Orioles. In exchange, the Orioles will receive minor league pitcher Twine Palmer.
Urías to Fill Void at Third Base
The move addresses a pressing need for the Astros after losing Isaac Paredes to a significant hamstring strain. Paredes is facing a potential season-ending surgery, though he is seeking second opinions. Regardless, he is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.
Astros acquire third baseman Alex Urías from Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher Twine Palmer, per sources. pic.twitter.com/P79Lh69P1t
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2025
Urías, 31, brings a Gold Glove pedigree at third base, awarded in 2022. While his defensive metrics have fluctuated, he has demonstrated positive defensive contributions this season, with advanced analytics supporting a resurgence with his glovework.
Offensive Profile and Contract Status
Offensively, Urías has shown flashes of above-average hitting, particularly against left-handed pitching, where he has posted a 124 wRC+ since last year. However, his overall production has dipped this season to a 90 wRC+ over 290 plate appearances.
The Astros control Urías through the 2026 season and he is due for a raise from his current $3.15 million salary. Houston could opt to move him in the offseason or integrate him into their second base plans for next year.
Astros Active in Deadline Market
The Astros currently lead the AL West with a 62-47 record. Their acquisition of Urías follows a busy trade deadline period, during which they reportedly explored deals for Carlos Correa and showed interest in Dylan Cease. The team was also seeking a left-handed bat, with Brandon Lowe mentioned as a target.
The Mariners, their division rivals, bolstered their lineup by acquiring Eugenio Suarez, a player previously linked to Houston.
Orioles Continue Sell-Off
Urías is one of several veterans on the move from a disappointing Orioles squad. The club also traded Andrew Kittredge to the Cubs and dealt relievers Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto, and Bryan Baker. This flurry of trades suggests a willingness by the Orioles to move players under team control beyond the current season.
Among other players potentially available for Baltimore are Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Laureano, and Trevor Rogers.
Prospect Details: Twine Palmer
Twine Palmer, a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher, was a 19th-round draft pick for the Astros last year. He has posted a 2.13 ERA in 13 appearances for A-ball teams this season, showcasing a strong groundball rate and a high strikeout percentage. He has not allowed a home run.
Palmer was not ranked among the Astros’ top prospects by major outlets, though FanGraphs placed him 37th. His inclusion in the deal highlights the Astros’ strategy of acquiring established talent by trading from their prospect pool.
