Free agent infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who hosted a showcase attended by roughly two-thirds of the league earlier this month, is setting up private workouts with “about a half-dozen” clubs, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Currently known to have a private audition in the works are the Red Sox, Cardinals, Astros and Marlins, according to Heyman.
Gurriel, the younger brother of Astros infielder Yulieksi Gurriel, was declared a free agent in early August and is considered one of the better all-around prospects on the international market. He’s currently subject to international bonus pools, but that’ll change next month on Oct. 19 when Gurriel turns 23. At that point, he’ll be free to sign with any MLB club for any amount, so the Red Sox will have a shot at him even though they’re currently restricted in their signings of players that are subject to international bonus restrictions (i.e. players that are under 23 and/or have fewer than five years of professional experience).
Gurriel is a career .277/.362/.426 hitter in just under 1100 plate appearances in Cuba’s top professional league, although those numbers include some lackluster stats from his years as a teenager. Gurriel batted .308/.388/.466 as a 20-year-old in the 2014-15 season, and he was even more impressive as a 21-year-old in the 2015-16 season, hitting .344/.407/.560 with 10 homers in 245 plate appearances. Gurriel is primarily a shortstop but is also said to be capable of sliding over to third base, second base or the outfield. At 6’4″ and 205 pounds, it certainly seems possible that Gurriel will eventually have to move off of shortstop, given his size relative to his peers at that position.
I would like it very much if he signed with the Mets
😀
He going to play with his brother on the Astros why are the other teams bothering. lol
typical cubs fan
Just fyi, my “typical cubs fan” was for a comment that has since been deleted.
Oh it’s typical because this kid doesn’t understand the fact that other teams than the astros will overpay for him? Yeah, my comment was deleted, funny that my comment was deleted, but this kid with the immature screen name isn’t told to change it. Whatever. The kid makes no sense whenever he posts anything. Oh and if you think I said my comment that’s since been deleted because I think the Cubs will get him, you’re wrong. The Cubs don’t need, or want him. Peace
Why wouldn’t they want a high upside young player?
Logjam in the infield, plus they won’t spend that much on a player when they already have surplus of the guys they have/actually want
Let’s go Halos. This is how you inject talent into a barren farm system. Won’t count against the international limit and the they have $$$ (around $30m) to spend in an unusually thin FA market.
I would really like for the O’s to go after him but they never go after any good international prospects.
Astros
I would say it is more likely he goes to the Red Sox. The Sox always feel the need to spend big and this years crop of talent is very thin. Furthermore, the Red Sox are restricted from signing international free agents next year as punishment, so this would be their biggest opportunity. Despite not having the need to sign Gurriel, the Red Sox operate on the philosophy that you can never have too much talent. Next year, Moncada will slide over to third, Bogaerts, Betts, Benintendi, Bradley, Pedroia, Shaw/Hanley, and your choice of catcher will round out the rest of the roster. This puts Holt and Sandoval on the bench. This is not to say that Gurriel will make the roster next year, but every player on the Sox roster is under contract even beyond next year. Of course, injuries and lack of performance are to be anticipated, but this roster is young, and at the very least, good defensively. The pitching has been outstanding in the second half (omitting the bullpen).
If I were the Sox, I would save the $$$ to retain these players long-term. Betts and Bogaerts are gonna cost a pretty penny, JBJ won’t be as expensive, but expensive nonetheless, Moncada and Benintendi will be on rookie contracts, Pedroia/Hanley are locked up, and Shaw would be relatively inexpensive to resign. With Ortiz coming off the books, the Sox could extend one of Betts or Bogaerts without much pain. But then the other plus JBJ will hurt the pocket with such a massive free agent class after next year, which unfortunately is not nearly as impressive anymore after the devastating events a couple days ago.
That might be their organizational philosophy, but do the sox want to spend that kind of money after being burned by, Runsey Castillo. And dose Gurriel want to be trapped in the minors behind Pedroia and Moncada? Because the redsox aren’t the only team with money, and if he has to chose between one big offer from a team that gives him no direct path to the majors and other teams that do give him a direct path to the majors what do you think will happen?
Also, the redsox might want to extend some of their young players, but many are Boras clients. And Boras just doesn’t do extensions.
This writer’s comment that Lourdes Gurriel will eventually move from SS to another position, b/c of his size relative to his peers, is unfounded. Cal Ripken was also 6’4″, and HE was one of the best shortstops in the history of the game, but I guess the writer is too young to know about the Iron Man.
Cal Ripken is not a current player. You can’t compare them like that. The game has changed since then.
A good shortstop is a good shortstop. If he gets the job done, his height is irrelevant.
Correa is tall. Maybe 6’4″. It’s not hurting him.
A more recent example is Corey Seager, who’s about the same height and weight as Gurriel.
Just because there are exceptions to the rule doesn’t mean the rule should be thrown out. He probably will move off SS but obviously there’s always a chance.
Well, it’s not a rule, it’s more of a trend, that larger players don’t stick at SS, while guys like him and Seager will likely move off of SS it isn’t written into stone either.
I’m 95% sure the Redsox will sign gurriel. The only other team that has a chance is the astros because of his brother.
So the dodgers and all their Cuban players, and direct path to the majors don’t stand a chance? The problem with the Astros and RedSox, is where would he play?
Red Sox can always use a young player to develop in farm system. Play him or trade him. Might lose JBJ in a few years since idiot Boros is his agent.
But dose he want to sign with a team who has no direct path for him? For what will likely be about the same amount of money he could get elsewhere.
Redsox will go all in because they can’t sign int free agent’s for a year. Gurriel won’t cost as much as everyone thinks. He will be a non-factor in locking up Betts and bogearts and on the 2017-2018 free agent market. It’s the Redsox, they have more money then god
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will have orange/blue colors on. I think the Astros brought his older brother in the pack so that they could play together. Look for Lourdes in the outfield of Houston. The Astros are gathering a good group of Latin players. I think he will make a great outfielder for the Astros. I think they might even make a play for Edwin Encarnación for 1B/DH this year.