Report: Astros sign infielder Yulieski Gurriel for five years, $47.5 million
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The Astros have signed Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel to a five-year contract worth $47.5 million, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reports.
Gurriel, 32, also drew interest from the Mets, Padres, Yankees, Dodgers and Giants. He can play both second and third base, though the Astros have Jose Altuve in place at second. There has also been speculation that the Astros would move shortstop prospect Alex Bregman, the second pick in last year’s draft, to third base because of Carlos Correa.
Gurriel left Cuba in February 2016 and was declared a free agent in June.
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In his final season in Cuba, Gurriel batted .500 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs in 49 games. He also played 62 games in Japan in 2014 for Yokohama, batting .305 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs.
Gurriel’s 22-year-old brother Lourdes left Cuba with Yulieski and is considered a top prospect, though MLB has not declared him a free agent.