Yulieski Gourriel: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent 3B

Brian MarronJun 20, 2016

Cuban free-agent third baseman Yulieski Gourriel is exploring the market for his services, and multiple teams are interested in signing him.

Continue for updates.

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Mets Reportedly Will Pass on Gourriel

Thursday, July 14

Adam Rubin of ESPN reported the Mets are "highly unlikely" to sign Gourriel. Rubin noted, "Mets scouts did not come away overly enthused from Gourriel’s June 27 private workout at the team’s complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida."

On June 20, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported that the Mets were "weighing" Gourriel as an option to fill in at third base, adding it "would seem to be [a] good fit at the moment."

Per MLB.com's injury report, New York has two infielders—first baseman Lucas Duda and third baseman David Wright—on the disabled list.

Wright, 33, has an uncertain future after undergoing season-ending neck surgery earlier this month. The Mets are also struggling mightily on offense, ranking third-worst in the National League in scoring. In addition, the team has scored four or more runs in a game in just four of its last 10 games, losing six times in that span.

For Industriales in the Cuban National Series last season, Gourriel hit .500 with 15 homers and 51 RBI. He may have posted those gaudy numbers against weaker competition, but it's apparent that Gourriel is a talented hitter.

His 2015 statistics weren't his most impressive, but he has been consistent. Since joining the CNS as a 17-year-old, Gourriel has hit above .300 in 13 of his 15 seasons.

According to the New York Daily News' John Harper, one former Mets player, whom Harper said he could not name because of his connection with the team, made a strong case for signing Gourriel with Wright out long term:

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This Cuban player [Gourriel] comes out of nowhere for them just when they need a third baseman. They won’t have to give up anything to get him, so just go sign him. That way you’ve still got something in the bank if you need to make a trade for more offense.
And I saw where [Yoenis] Cespedes said he was best friends with this guy when they were in Cuba together. So you never know, if [Gourriel] is on the team, maybe he gives them a better chance of keeping Cespedes too. I know that might be a reach, but it can’t hurt.
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Harper also spoke with a scout who gave some input on what it would cost to sign Gourriel and the risks associated with that:

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It’s more of an issue when a guy is listed at 32. It’s not like someone who says he’s 22 and turns out to be 24 or 25. At 32 an extra year or two matters a lot more. You have to see if the athleticism is still there.
Even if he looks good in a workout, I wouldn’t give him more than two years. The cost would depend on how many clubs get involved, but based on what some of the other (Cuban defectors) have gotten, it figures to be [$10 million to $11 million] a year, depending on the length.
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Latest on Gourriel's Value

Sunday, July 3

ESPN.com's Jim Bowden reported that the "Gourriel bidding war will end up in the $55-75 million range" and provided teams interested in signing him:

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According to some of the clubs that have worked him out, they believe he will fall somewhere in the 4-year, $55 million-75 million range, which in the long run could end up like the [Jose Abreu] deal with the White Sox: a bargain for the talent level.
The Dodgers, Mets, Astros, Giants and Yankees all remain possibilities, along with a "mystery team."
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