The New York Mets are reportedly looking at Cuban free agent Yulieski Gourriel, 32, as a possible addition to their injury-plagued infield.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported the news Monday.
Continue for updates.
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Per MLB.com’s injury report, New York has two infielders—first baseman Lucas Duda and third baseman David Wright—on the disabled list.
The Mets expect Duda back by early July, and he plays a position that is not too pertinent to Gourriel. However, the Cuban could be the perfect solution for the team at the hot corner.
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 these 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:
This Cuban player [Gourriel] comes out of nowhere for them just when they need a third baseman, the player said.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.
Harper also spoke with a scout who gave some input on what it would cost to sign Gourriel and the risks associated with that:
It’s more of an issue when a guy is listed at 32, one scout said. 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-$11 million a year, depending on the length.
The Mets have the pitching staff to return to the World Series. They are second, behind the Chicago Cubs, in the NL in team ERA, but they are floating around .500 at 36-32 because of an anemic offense.
Going after Gourriel makes sense, even if it takes a three-year contract offer. Who knows how long this promising window of stellar pitching will last, so the Mets need to capitalize on it while they can.
Team statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.
Individual statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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