MLB: Star Cuban Infielder Yulieski Gourriel Declared a Free Agent

Yulieski Gourriel is one of the most decorated baseball players in Cuba and he has just declared himself an MLB free agent. But what type of player can the 32 year-old be in major league baseball and which teams are looking to sign the infielder?

Cuba has given major league baseball many great baseball players in recent years. From Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Abreu to Yasiel Puig and Aroldis Chapman, Cuban born players have had a major impact on the professional game here in America. There could be another name added to that list now that Yunieski Gourriel has been declared a free agent and is free to sign with any major league ball club.

Many teams will be clamoring for Gourriel’s services this week and for good reason. He has absolutely stellar in the Cuban League for a long time.

Throughout his 15 year career in Cuba, the infielder has accumulated a career batting average of .335 and has gotten on-base at an impressive .417 clip. It seems that Gourriel is only getting better as he has gotten older as well.

Over the last two years, Gourriel has batting averages of .343 and .500, respectively. Last season, he walked 38 times, while only striking out on three occasions (yes, that is not a typo). In fact, the Cuban star has walked more than he has struck out ten different times over the course of a season. This just goes to show his elite eye and approach at the plate.

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Gourriel has also displayed a good amount of power throughout his career as well. He has hit 20 or more home runs in six different seasons and was on pace for 25-30 home runs last season before he decided to leave Cuban baseball. Keep in mind that the Cuban Baseball Series only has 90 games scheduled in a season, so these numbers would likely look much more impressive over the course of 162 games.

Obviously, the level play is extremely less than it his in the MLB, but what Gourriel has done cannot be ignored by teams. Gourriel is a complete player as well that can impact a game in many ways.

Baseball America’s Ben Badler has Gourriel as the top Cuban player that is eligible to sign with a major league club because of what a great all-around offensive player he is.

“Gourriel has all the attributes to be an above-average offensive player, Badler said. “He has plus bat speed and squares up all types of pitches with good hand-eye coordination and barrel control. He wraps his barrel behind his head, angling the bat toward the pitcher, but he gets the barrel into the hitting zone quickly and has good plate coverage. He stays within the strike zone and uses the whole field, and with plus raw power on the 20-80 scale, he offers a balance of being able to hit for average, get on base and hit for power.”

(Quote from Sports Illustrated)

The market for Gourriel should intensify fairly soon as teams look to upgrade their club as the all-star break inches closer and closer. The two New York teams in particular have been speculated as being frontrunners for the star Cuban infielder.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Gourriel would fit really nicely in Queens, especially with David Wright‘s season in question.

“With David Wright’s short- and long-term status in doubt due to spinal and neck conditions, the Mets could use a better third-base alternative than is currently available to them, Sherman said. “However, though they traded for and ultimately signed Cespedes as a free agent once in the States, the Mets pretty much have shunned the expensive Cuban international market. Two club sources said they would be surprised if that changed, but would not definitively rule out Gourriel.”

Sherman figures that the Yanks are a much more likely option.

“The Yankees are a more likely player,” Sherman explained. “Their international scout director, Donny Rowland, is said to hold Gourriel in high regard. Gourriel also is said to be friendly with Aroldis Chapman. And Gourriel’s favorite player is Alex Rodriguez and his favorite team is the Yankees.”

The Yankees have not shelled out money on the Cuban baseball market as much as some other high spending teams, but with Chase Headley struggling at the plate, sticking Gourriel at third would certainly be an upgrade.

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Gourriel should fit on many clubs because he is versatile in the field. While his main calling card is his bat, the 32 year-old has played second and third base and has the skills to transition to both corner outfield spots.

The Cuban superstar won’t come cheap and teams could wait to spend big money on his brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, who is ten years younger, even though he is not nearly as polished. However, Yunlieski seems like he is the real deal, especially at the plate, and he has the track record to prove it. Being in his early 30s, Yulieksi is ready to contribute right away too and is looking to make an impact in the majors quickly as he said that he would like to make his debut in early August.

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Even though many people have not seen him in person, expect that the 32 year-old could be a key piece for a team’s postseason push. He certainly has the tools to make an impact as much as any player that may be available on the trade market come trade deadline time.

What do you think about Gourriel’s chances of being a key contributor this season? Let us know in the comments below.

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