SPORTS: LOURDES GOURRIEL JR. SIGNING WITH THE BLUE JAYS IN TORONTO BY 22 MILLION.
The Blue Jays have agreed to a multi-year contract with Cuban infield prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr., reports MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (via Twitter). Gurriel, the younger brother of Astros infielder Yulieski Gurriel, is considered one of the top available international prospects and will receive a seven-year, $22MM contract from the Jays, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link).
That $22MM figure may seem like a relative bargain given Gurriel’s upside, but it’s worth noting that many Major League contracts of this nature allow the player in question to opt into arbitration once he is eligible (e.g. Jose Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias). It’s not clear if Gurriel obtained that right, but if he did, then the $22MM serves as a floor for what he’ll earn over the life of this deal, but he’d ultimately have the potential to earn quite a bit more when all is said and done.
Gurriel, a Wasserman client, was declared a free agent several months ago but waited to sign until after the completion of his 23rd birthday in order to be exempt from international spending limitations. Unlike his older brother, he’ll require some more time in the minor leagues before surfacing at the big league level. Gurriel is a career .277/.362/.426 hitter in Cuba and slashed an outstanding .344/.407/.560 in 245 plate appearances in his final season in Cuba — the 2015-16 campaign.
About 60 to 70 scouts representing more than 20 teams turned out at a showcase for Gurriel last month, during which he worked out at both shortstop and center field (though he’s also capable of playing second base and third base as well). He ran a 6.65 in the 60-yard dash and drew positive reviews on his physique and strong arm, though some scouts felt he needed more work against live pitching. Baseball America’s Ben Badler has penned scouting reports on Gurriel in the past (subscription required and recommended), giving praise to his bat speed, quality approach at the plate and strike zone management skills. Per Badler, Gurriel could eventually emerge as a high-OBP player with enough pop to hit 20-plus homers in a season.
Exactly where Gurriel fits into the Jays’ long-term plans remains to be seen. The Jays have shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, second baseman Devon Travis and center fielder Kevin Pillar all under club control through 2020, though Gurriel could eventually crack into the Majors in the corner outfield or in a super-utility role, spelling all three of the aforementioned players while also serving as an insurance policy for the injury-prone Tulowitzki and Travis.
Agencies / MLBRumors/Steve Adams/ Internet Photos / Arnoldo Varona / TheCubanHistory.com
THE CUBAN HISTORY, HOLLYWOOD.
TheCubanHistory.com
DEPORTES: LOURDES GOURRIEL JR. FIRMA CON LOS BLUE JAYS DE TORONTO POR 22 MILLONES.
El pelotero cubano Lourdes Gourriel Jr., el número seis entre los 30 mejores prospectos internacionales de las Grandes Ligas se fue con los Blue Jays de Toronto por un contrato de 22 millones de dólares por siete años, según el periodista de las MLB Jesse Sánchez.
Lourdes es el menor de los hermanos Gourriel. En la última Serie del Caribe desarrollada en República Dominicana abandonó la selección nacional a su hermano Yulieski en una espectacular fuga que los llevó a Haití y luego hacia Estados Unidos.
Con 23 años es una joven promesa del béisbol.
El mayor de los Gurriel, juega para los Astros de Houston con quienes firmó un contrato por cinco años por valor de 47,5 millones de dólares.
El club Blue Jays de Toronto confirmó la noticia en un tuiter y Gurriel publicó en su cuenta de Twitter una nota agradeciendo la oportunidad.
Agencies/Sports/14ymedio/Internet Photos/Arnoldo Varona/TheCubanHistory.com
THE CUBAN HISTORY, HOLLYWOOD.
CUBA PHOTOS.