Astros sign Yulieski Gurriel: five-years $47.5MM

[Laika]

discuss

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/astros-to-sign-yulieski-gurriel.html

[AdamGreenwood]

Just glad the usual Cuban hoarders (Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox) didn't get him.

 

I kind of wish the Jays had paid up, but I suspect Cubans are leary of signing with a Canadian team due to all the potential border hassles.

I know we don't need a 3B, but we could have found a home for him, somewhere, and even if not, he would have been a valuable trade asset.

[Orgfiller]

What's with the 'o' being omitted from his last name? It has always been Gourriel.

 

I'm assuming they plan to play him in a corner OF spot? He's always been an infielder but the Astros are completely loaded there, with more to come in Bregman. He's obviously pretty old, sad that a player of his caliber will make his debut in the twilight of his career, but I think there's some big potential gains for the Astros here, they're only paying him to be a 1-1.25 WAR player, which he should be capable of easily if the transition is as one would expect.

[Laika]

Astros say he will play 3B. More likely Bregman slides to LF or gets traded or something.

 

baseball reference had no 'o'

[Orgfiller]

Just glad the usual Cuban hoarders (Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox) didn't get him.

 

I kind of wish the Jays had paid up, but I suspect Cubans are leary of signing with a Canadian team due to all the potential border hassles.

I know we don't need a 3B, but we could have found a home for him, somewhere, and even if not, he would have been a valuable trade asset.

A lot of teams, the Blue Jays included, could probably use him as a MIF utility man with him having prior experience at SS, 3B and 2B. I suspect this is one way the Astros will use him, with a few COF starts sprinkled in there as well.

[Laika]

He got less money and less AAV than Yasmany Tomas, which really makes no f***ing sense.

[43211234]

That seems like a low number.

 

Do scouts think he just mashed on garbage cuban fastballs and that he will struggle in the mlb? Or maybe he's assumed to be older than 32?

 

Under $10M AAV surprised me.

[Orgfiller]

Astros say he will play 3B. More likely Bregman slides to LF or gets traded or something.

 

baseball reference had no 'o'

 

That seems like a really bad decision on the part of the Astros, unless there's something we're not aware of here.

 

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/article/media_slots/photos/002/366/073/hi-res-10cf0da2fe6f8a332aec9dd187eec9d4_crop_exact.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=85

 

http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/442dc771533b420194e0cc51d9580d1a/team-cubas-yulieski-gourriel-bats-a-home-run-the-first-for-his-team-fh8tf7.jpg

 

http://mlblogsbjarkmanlatinobaseball.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/gourrielns2006b1.jpg?w=555

 

Whatever though.

[Orgfiller]

That seems like a low number.

 

Do scouts think he just mashed on garbage cuban fastballs and that he will struggle in the mlb? Or maybe he's assumed to be older than 32?

 

Under $10M AAV surprised me.

I don't see why he would have faked his own age considering he's played competitively in Cuba's top league since he was in his teens-early 20s. There's no way his age is not as reported.

[Angrioter]

Gourriel is really good

[43211234]

I don't see why he would have faked his own age considering he's played competitively in Cuba's top league since he was in his teens-early 20s. There's no way his age is not as reported.

 

Yeah, his age is very likely accurate. The AAV just really surprised me.

[AdamGreenwood]

He got less money and less AAV than Yasmany Tomas, which really makes no f***ing sense.

 

Baseball salaries are incredibly ageist. Once you cross 30, you're worth half the projections they have for you.

And if you're over 30 with no MLB experience, you're worth even less.

[Orgfiller]

Yeah, his age is very likely accurate. The AAV just really surprised me.

 

Likewise, this is a guy who's been sought after since pretty much 10+ years ago. I guess age, and maybe some injury risk that I'm not entirely aware of may were factors for his low price relative to other recent Cuban-born signees.

[Daniel Labude]

Has his brother signed yet?

[Orgfiller]

The closest comp in terms of circumstance - but not talent - would be Hector Olivera who signed for 6/$62.5MM on March of last year. Olivera was days away from turning 30 years old and had injury concerns. In comparison that deal seems absurd to what Gourriel just signed for.

[Laika]

Baseball salaries are incredibly ageist. Once you cross 30, you're worth half the projections they have for you.

And if you're over 30 with no MLB experience, you're worth even less.

 

Yeah I forgot how old he actually is. I knew he wasn't a youngster but I guess 32 is considerably over the hill in the post-steroid (maybe?) era.

[TheHurl]

He got less money and less AAV than Yasmany Tomas, which really makes no f***ing sense.

 

hidden deal with his brother when he hits 21 or whatever it is that he has to hit to not be part of International Spending?

[TheHurl]

Has his brother signed yet?

 

He can sign but it would still be under International spending rules. He'll wait it out until his birthday and make big money. Should be noted that he has said he'd like to play with his Bro.

[Laika]

He can sign but it would still be under International spending rules. He'll wait it out until his birthday and make big money. Should be noted that he has said he'd like to play with his Bro.

 

Lourdes turns 23 this year... I think since he's either already old enough to be immune, or he will be once he's no longer 22.

[Boxcar]

Astros say he will play 3B. More likely Bregman slides to LF or gets traded or something.

 

baseball reference had no 'o'

 

Why would they do this? Bregman is almost certainly a better defender. f*** the Astros. They are a stupid team masquerading as a not stupid team.

[sawyerford]

Gourriel is really good

 

 

Meh, back in 2014 he was being outperformed by some north american minor league players playing in Japan. Doubt he will be hitting .305 in the majors like he was back in Japan

[fatcowxlive]

Other than Vlad who have we got through the international market? It seems like a great way for us to stock on youngsters given that all Atkins and Shapiro say that budget isn't the problem but an empty farm is. Did we sign anyone this year or are our hands still tied because of Vladdy?

[Dr. Dinger]

Why would they do this? Bregman is almost certainly a better defender. f*** the Astros. They are a stupid team masquerading as a not stupid team.

 

Bregman is a monster trade chip. They could use him to land an ace like Sonny Gray.

[Spanky99]

Bregman is a monster trade chip. They could use him to land an ace like Sonny Gray.

 

lol

[burlingtonbandit]

Bregman is a monster trade chip. They could use him to land an ace like Sonny Gray.

 

No way Houston does that at even 1 for 1.

[Dr. Dinger]

No way Houston does that at even 1 for 1.

 

You don't know s***. Pat Tabler says Sonny Gray is among the very best pitchers in baseball.

[Jimcanuck]

You don't know s***. Pat Tabler says Sonny Gray is among the very best pitchers in baseball.

 

Tabler said that? One of the smartest things he's said this year.

[burlingtonbandit]

You don't know s***. Pat Tabler says Sonny Gray is among the very best pitchers in baseball.

 

surprising since he isn't beeg and stronggg