Yulieski Gurriel and his brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., each defected from Cuba while the Cuban National Team was in the Dominican Republic this past weekend, Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald first reported. Sources tell MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez the same — the brothers are “believed” to have defected from Cuba.Each will seek a contract with a Major League team, placing two of the most highly regarded international players on the planet in the mix for MLB clubs to pursue.
Yulieski, 31, was ranked by Baseball America’s Ben Badler as the No. 1 player remaining in Cuba. The third baseman is a career .333/.414/.577 hitter as a professional and has enjoyed success in both Cuba and, recently, Japan. The elder of the two brothers that defected (the oldest Gurriel brother, Yunieski Gurriel, apparently did not join his younger siblings) was recently allowed to play in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he batted .305/.349/.536 with 11 homers in 62 games for the Yokohama Bay Stars. Thus far in the 2015-16 Cuban season, Yulieski was batting a ludicrous .535/.604/1.012 with 10 homers in 106 plate appearances across 23 games.
Badler has previously praised Yulieski for his plus bat speed and plus raw power to all fields, drawing comparisons to David Wright and Hanley Ramirez from Badler last spring (prior to Ramirez’s poor debut season in Boston). He’s said to be an above-average defender at third base, where he’s best suited, but also capable of handling second base adequately. Previously, Yulieski has spoken to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez about his desire to play in the Major Leagues, but only if he were permitted to do so legally by the Cuban government. With today’s news, that line of thinking has seemingly changed.
Because of his age and extensive professional experience, Yulieski would be free to sign with any club for any amount once he is declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. While the fact that he turns 32 years old in June places him at a disadvantage (from an earning power standpoint) as compared to the likes of Jose Abreu, Yasmany Tomas and Rusney Castillo (each of whom was in his mid-20s upon signing), Yulieski would still seem poised to command a significant Major League deal. It’s also worth noting that Hector Olivera received a $62.5MM guarantee despite being just 15 months younger than Yulieski, and while that contract looks perhaps questionable in hindsight, it does serve to illustrate that age should not stand in the way of a notable payday.
As for Lourdes, he’s still 22 years old and won’t turn 23 until October. If he signs before his 23rd birthday, Lourdes would be subject to international bonus pools. While the exact timing of his free agency isn’t 100 percent clear — we don’t know when the league will clear him — that limitation does place some restrictions on where he could sign. If he’s declared a free agent within the current signing period, Lourdes wouldn’t be able to sign with the D-backs, Angels, Rays, Red Sox or Yankees. Should he sign after July 2, the Dodgers, Royals, Giants, Cubs and Blue Jays would join that list of restricted teams, as each has exceeded its 2015-16 spending pool. Were he to wait until after Oct. 19 to sign, Lourdes would be free to sign with any club for any amount, as his age would then meet the minimum requirements for bonus pool exemption. Given the length of time it’ll take for him to be declared a free agent in the first place, Lourdes may only have to wait a few months to be exempt from bonus pools, making it seem highly likely that he’ll ultimately go that route; the difference in his amateur signing bonus and a Major League contract could easily be an eight-figure sum.
Lourdes isn’t as accomplished as his 31-year-old brother, but he’s hit well to this point in his Cuban career, batting .269/.355/.414 in 1036 Serie Nacional plate appearances. His numbers have trended significantly upward in recent seasons, though (.854 OPS in the 2014-15 season, .924 OPS in 183 2015-16 PAs). Badler most recently labeled him an eventual 20-homer threat with good strike zone knowledge, adding that from a defensive standpoint, he might be best suited to play third base in the long run, though he’s been playing shortstop regularly for the past couple of seasons. Lourdes has experience at third base, second base and in left field, however, and it seems reasonable that different teams could have varying opinions on his proficiency at each position. Presumably, a club believing that Lourdes is capable of handling shortstop, even on a short-term basis, would prefer to play him there as long as possible, though Badler notes that his range is already a bit fringy there and could worsen as his frame fills out.
Both players, of course, will need to establish residency in a new country and be declared a free agent by Major League Baseball before clubs can officially pursue them. The amount of time it takes for those steps to occur varies on a case-by-case basis, so attempting to pin down a specific time at which they’ll be able to sign, at this juncture, would be mostly guesswork.
Its great for baseball that we will get at least a few seasons of Yulieski. Great hitter.
Anyone want to see Yuliesky Gourriel’s homerun highlights during his time in Japan? You can watch it right here. youtube.com/watch?v=6ZBNsyYMSWU
Make it happen Dan Duquette. Play Yulieski at 3B and move Manny over to SS. Pancakes for everyone!
Putting JJ in RF?
I didn’t go to MIT but it would appear to me to be in Lourdes best interest to wait until Oct to sign with a MLB club. Then he can sign with any of the 30 clubs. By the time he establishes residency somewhere and gets cleared by MLB he may only have to wait a couple of months anyway.
My idea on preventing the Dodgers from signing all they 23+ year old IFAs.
Give every team an amount to spend on veteran IFAs over a three-year span. 8 mil per? 13 mil per? Whatever.
Teams can spend that over a three year span, after which, the numbers reload. I wouldn’t be opposed to million dollar chunks being available for trade. Then, lower spending teams can get value, as well.
Teams can get who they really want, but need to be a bit selective.
Not saying your idea is a bad one necessarily, but it isn’t clear to me why the Dodgers are so much more successful in these IFA signings than everybody else, other than it’s a focus of their strategy. Most of these contracts are in the $4-5M/season range, which is affordable for many if not all of the teams.
It’s true that all teams can afford $4-5MM/season range for a player. What isn’t true is that a lot of teams cannot afford to gamble a $4-5MM/season on a virtually useless player like Arruebarrena or Nishioka. The Dodgers can throw out 100 $4MM contracts and hope some of them pan out. A team like the Rays would near a virtual guarantee of a starting caliber player on EVERY $4MM contract. That is where the inherent unfairness comes from.
You won’t get any disagreement from me on the fairness of the system. I’ve said lots of times that I think it is unfair. Still I think more teams could take fliers on IFAs for the kind of money they are getting. Ironically Arreubarrena is one player who isn’t costing the Dodgers anything, since last I heard he was still suspended.
He’s back on the books I believe – that one year suspension was reduced to 30 days on appeal. Due $4million in 2016 according to Truebluela.
Still curious what he did for the Dodgers to try and slap him with a year ban..
Right you are, that suspension was reduced to 30 days on appeal (which is still a pretty serious penalty, it cost him a cool half mil). He ended last year at Tulsa. Of course the Dodgers never said what he was doing to violate the terms of his contract, but we can imagine it was something like not showing up on time.
Exactly my thought too BlueSkyLA.
One of those things we may never know for sure. About as likely to find out as we are seeing Arreubuena contributing at the MLB level.
The one that set me a bit more strident in this direction was the Hector Olivera signing. The Dodgers didn’t really want him. They wanted him so the Braves couldn’t have him.
Then traded him to Atlanta in, what? Six weeks?
Sign whoever you want, but my idea is the only one I’ve heard tossed about that limits teams from jealousy Signings like Olivera’s.
What the heck sort of concept is a “jealousy signing,” other than totally bizarre? In the real world, the Dodgers needed Olivera at the time they signed him if only because 3B was covered by the frequently-injured Uribe, and Turner, who was regarded as an infield utility player of uncertain durability. That situation has not really changed very much, which is why they Dodgers treating both Utley and Kendrick as depth at 3B.
Yulieski would be a nice fit in Anaheim
I didn’t know Anaheim had a pro softball team!
Every single team should be in on thrse guys. I’m excited. Ever since I saw Yulieski in the WBC in 2006, I’ve wanted to see what he can do in the big leagues. It’s 10 years later, but he is still young enough to have a chance to have a few good years
Wake up Rip Van Winkle….formerlyz
2006 was 9 long years ago buddie….skills long since evaporated.
Make them go through the draft like the kids from the United States.
Good comment Leroy1.
Make these guys go through the same kind of draft that US players do.
Of course, there will be some dumb GM trying desperately to save their job by throwing millions of $ at players that have never even taken an at bat in the minor leagues.
For every Abreu, there have been 10, .250 hitters making millions based on batting, fielding and pitching in the Cuban leagues against foes that probably couldn’t make the AA minor league team.
And how about that Olivera…what a steal…..$63 millon for a .250 hitter that can’t play 3rd, and has limited power. Two years in to his contract, and we’re probably looking at another 4 years of mediocre play. No wonder Hot Dogs cost $12 a dog at major league parks.
Do you really think MLB owners would reduce prices if they didn’t have to pay the players as much? That’s cute.
Yeah, let’s encourage more funneling of talent through an outdated, restrictive system.
Don’t go where you love, or where you can earn what you’re worth, kid. Go where you’re told to go.
To expand a little bit – the last significant chunk of data I can find on average ages of those in the MLB draft, was 2013 –
High School – 18.43 years
Juco – 20.30 years
College – 21.42
We both erred in calling them kids, they generally aren’t – but they have less negotiating rights than kids do. Ex-College players are old enough to drink, get married and fire guns, but they aren’t allowed to choose where they work. Well, there choice is work in another country.
Would like to see Lourdes get signed by the White Sox to take over once Frazier likely leaves. However, after seeing all of the other recent Cubans the Sox have passed on I’m guessing that is wishful thinking at best.
nrd1138
Ever think the White Sox realize they caught lightning in a bottle with Abreu and don’t want to tempt fate again.
This kid may never be good enough to even play in the majors based on merit and not the size of the contract he might be signed to.
Caught lightning in a bottle with Alexei as well. One could argue with Contreras and Hernandez in 05. Sure, Viciedo they whiffed on. These guys only cost money, which I believe the Sox have for their prospect pool and do not have to give up a pick. Plus he is 23… So the Sox will take a runner on an Avi Garcia, but not at a position they sorely need to sore up in the minors (being 3rd)?
Wow, I can’t believe all these comments. It’s amazing how my parents, who were NEVER any member of the Communist party was interrogated when they came to this country over 55 years ago. And now, the sons of one of the known biggest member (and they too) of the Communist party is welcomed with open arms to come play in the US MLB! And why is it ok to be a communist (like other Cuban players currently playing) and come to the US to play, to make money for the MLB. it’s amazing how the MLB turns a blind eye to all wrongdoings, crimes, law breaking, and being a HUGE communist party member. C’mon commits welcome to the US to send your money back to Cuba. These players are not and have NEVER been persecuted by the government. On the contrary they fully supported.
The Pirates need to sign this guy. They could use Yulieski at third, Jung Ho Kang at shortstop and J Harrison at second base. That would be a nice infield. Not sure any potential contender needs Yulieski Gurriel more than the Pirates.
The Gurriel brothers are very welcome to the Dodgers… si muchachos!
Isn’t their name spelled “Gourriel”? Anyway, Yulieski is an all-time great player, he’s had a hall-of-fame kind of career and should still have a few good ones left in him. It will be a treat to see him play in the United States.