The Yulieski Gourriel sweepstakes has a winner. The Houston Astros reached an agreement with the Cuban infielder on a sizable 5-year, $47.5 million deal Friday afternoon.
Source: INF Yulieski Gurriel agrees to 5-year, $47.5 million deal with #Astros #Cuba More on https://t.co/mkcBseoZWQ pic.twitter.com/6uj12AgGGL
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) July 15, 2016
Gourriel had suitors from all over the MLB. In addition to the Astros, the Dodgers, Yankees, Padres, Giants, Angels, and Mets were all interested in procuring his services. The 32-year-old has not played competitive baseball this season, so he will almost assuredly need a stint in the minor leagues before he is ready to join the big league club.
However, Gourriel promises to be a significant addition to the Astros once he reaches the MLB. He has played in three World Baseball Classics on the Cuban team, and was always one of the more electrifying players at the events.
Gourriel figures to slot in at third base for the Astros, which should give them an upgrade over current starter Luis Valbuena. Through his 15-year professional career in Cuba and Japan, Gourriel slashed an impressive .335/.417/.580.
However, Gourriel’s arrival would seem to put a block on one of the organization’s best prospects, infielder Alex Bregman. Bregman, last year’s No. 2 overall pick, has lit the minor leagues on fire with his hitting. He is currently at AAA Fresno, where he is batting .389 with five home runs, three doubles and 14 RBIs in eight games since his promotion from AA Corpus Christi.
Bregman has mostly played shortstop in the minor leagues, but with Carlos Correa occupying that slot in the big leagues, he was making the transition to third base in preparation for his big-league call up. But his major league future is murkier with Gourriel now in the picture.
The Astros have rebounded from a disastrous start to the 2016 season, and with one or more stellar hitters on their way, Houston has to like its chances at a second-consecutive playoff birth. There may be a debate regarding who should be manning third for the team, but the options of Bregman and Gourriel make for an embarrassment of riches — a good problem to have for a team readying for the stretch run.