The Astros’ signing of Serie Nacional superstar Yulieski Gurriel became official today. Here’s the latest on what the signing means, with most of the details emerging from a Saturday press conference at Minute Maid Park.
- The Astros also plan to pursue Yulieski’s 22-year-old brother Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Mark Berman of FOX 26 tweets. Lourdes and Yulieski defected from Cuba together earlier this year. Lourdes, unlike Yuliesky, is currently subject to rules regarding international bonus pools (although he’ll be exempt starting in October) and will likely command a very large bonus to sign — he’s regarded as a top prospect.
- The Astros acknowledge that, with all their infield talent, Yulieski isn’t the easiest fit for them, as FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal explains (all Twitter links). They do not intend to trade top prospect Alex Bregman, however. Instead, they plan to use their DH spot to create opportunities for both Gurriel and Bregman, with Evan Gattis and A.J. Reed likely to lose playing time as a result. The Astros could potentially use Gurriel and Bregman at a variety of infield positions, with Bregman also potentially seeing time in the outfield.
- Astros GM Jeff Luhnow says Gurriel could also play the outfield, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links). The team has had Gurriel work out in the outfield and feels he has athleticism and a plus arm. The Astros’ aim has simply been to acquire as many good hitters as possible and allow defensive alignments to fall where they may.
- The Astros will send Gurriel to their Florida complex, then perhaps to Double-A Corpus Christi, Jake Kaplan of the Chronicle tweets. Via Berman, though (on Twitter), the Astros do hope to have Gurriel in the big leagues later this season.
“Hey let’s sign this guy so there is no room for our top two prospects.”
I hear ya but something’s brewing! A pitcher will be incoming and not at the cost of Bregman. That’s a guess though.
No one complains about the Cubs getting talent and playing them out of their natural position.
Yankees500 you sound pretty jealous. they just signed a young talent, bregman can play outfield. Just because you got young guys doesn’t mean you can’t add more…
I wouldn’t call Yulieski “young talent” the guy is 32 years old.
Says the guy who’s a fan of an aging team and very few prospects.
If signing him blocks their top two prospects then he must be better then he top two prospects. Strange to see a fan of the team complaining about his team signing young talent
Gotta imagine Bregman is being dealt for an arm despite what the talking heads say.
I agree.
No real reason to think Bregman isn’t a cornerstone of this team for years to come. He is in no way blocked. The Astros are losing a number of players in FA this winter. Signing Gurriel is seen as a short and long term solution that didn’t require depleting the farm. I could see trades that include players like Rasmus, MarGo, Marisnick, maybe a bullpen arm, but I am guessing Bregman or Gurriel get converted to LF. Both players are extreme athletes and can play multiple positions. Look at Biggio, he came up as a catcher, converted to a 2B and then the last few years played LF. True athletes adjust. My thought is Gurriel gets moved in the offseason to LF. This year he will start at 3B shifting Valbuena to 1B. We may see Bregman moved to LF over the next few weeks at Fresno to see how he does. If he shows promise he will probably get the call around Aug 1. A Bregman, Correa, Altuve and Reed (assuming he plays to his potential) IF is probably a Top 3 in baseball for a number of years.
Agreed. The Astros have a very versatile roster. The only guys nailed to a position at this point are Correa and Altuve. Valbuena can play 3b, 2b, and 1b. Marwin Gonzalez plays everywhere. Gattis has been catching again, so he isn’t tied to DH (if he plays), Bregman isn’t going anywhere and can play SS, 3b and will probably start playing outfield. Using the DH as a flex position, the ‘Stros will be able move people around much like the Cubs do.
Keep in mind that Correa could move to 3B A-Rod style… It will depend upon how they develop and their production
Just wanting to point out that Biggio moved to CF, not LF, and should have arguably won a gold glove over Edmonds.
Let’s complain because there is too much talent?
This is the first move of a few. Cascade time… They think their back in the hunt
They ARE back in the hunt. Unless, of course, you’ve been ignoring the past two months of the season.
32-13 since May 24th (best record in baseball) since then and 4 games out of 1st. I would say they are back in it. There might, just might, be enough games for them to overtake the Rangers. I mean there is only 72 games left so it may come down to the wire…
They only have the best record in MLB since the end of May. It’s a marathon not a race.
Wish they would send him to the Cal league for a few games so I could watch him.
Altuve is a free agent in a few years, in Boras’ camp
He’s not going anywhere ever.
Agreed