Gurriel brothers defect, seek MLB deals

Laser Show

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@JesseSanchezMLB: Brothers Yulieski Gurriel & Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reportedly defected and will be seeking MLB deals. Check https://t.co/mkcBseoZWQ for story.

This is huge news. Yulieski has long been talked about as the best player in Cuba. I remember seeing him play in the WBC 10 years ago and everyone was wondering when he would defect.
 

Cumberland Blues

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Interesting. I read an article recently suggesting one of the Gurriels would be the first player allowed by the Cuban government to come play MLB w/o defecting - due to the improving relations between the US and Cuba. I guess they got tired of waiting for that to happen.
 

Fred not Lynn

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Every time there's a defection, I wonder this, but haven't heard anything; What's going to happen regarding Cuba at the next WBC?

We are at the point where some of the game's very top stars are Cuban ex-pats, and them being left out of the WBC is kind of awkward.
 

soxhop411

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Two top players from the most famous baseball family in Cuba are not expected to return to the island.

Brothers Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 22, and Yulieski Gurriel, 31, are believed to have defected from Cuba's Ciego de Avila team following the Caribbean Series that concluded Sunday in order to seek contracts with Major League teams, according to sources. Lourdes is considered the top prospect in Cuba while his brother is considered the country's best player.

Both have repeatedly expressed a desire to leave the island legally and with the permission of the Cuban government.

Their defection was first reported by Miami's El Nuevo Herald.

Yulieski Gurriel is one of Cuba's most celebrated and decorated players. The infielder was an Olympian in 2004 and has represented Cuba in all three World Baseball Classic tournaments. He's been part of Cuban championship teams at the Pan American Games, Central American Games, World Baseball Championships, International Cup and Caribbean Series.

Gurriel Jr., who plays shortstop and outfield, was hitting .321 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs and a .924 OPS in 43 games for the Havana Industriales this season.

The brothers are the youngest members of the first family of baseball in Cuba.

Oldest brother Yunieski, 33, won two MVP Awards during his 16 seasons in Serie Nacional. In addition to his Cuban league play, Yunieski spent the past two seasons playing for Quebec in the Canadian-American Association. Their father, Lourdes Gurriel Sr., played for the national team for 15 years and won a gold medal, two batting titles and an MVP Award in Cuba. He was also a national team manager.

The brothers also had an uncle, great uncle and cousin who starred in Cuba.

Cuban players who are at least 23 years old and have played in a Cuban professional league for five or more seasons are exempt from the international signing guidelines established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, effectively making them free agents once they are eligible to sign with a big league club. Cuban players who leave the island and go directly to the United States are subject to the signing guidelines of the MLB Draft.

Lourdes has played six seasons in Cuba and won't be 23 until October. It could take several months for him to become eligible to sign with a Major League club. He will not be subject to the guidelines if he signs after he turns 23.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/163919918/lourdes-gurriel-yulieski-gurriel-defect-cuba
 

pokey_reese

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I desperately wanted Yulieski to come play in the US, preferably on the Sox, but that was a long time ago. I haven't seen him in a while, but I wonder if at 31 he is interested in moving to 2B, or even being a utility guy.
 

Orel Miraculous

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Every time there's a defection, I wonder this, but haven't heard anything; What's going to happen regarding Cuba at the next WBC?

We are at the point where some of the game's very top stars are Cuban ex-pats, and them being left out of the WBC is kind of awkward.
I'd say there's a very good chance that by next Spring Cuba will let bygones be bygones vis a vis the defectors and field a "unification team" made up of the best players in MLB and Serie Nacional. . . and that team will be freaking amazing to watch.
 

Fred not Lynn

Dick Button Jr.
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But will the ex-pats be as willing to let the past be past?

I kind of like the idea of a Cuba vs Ex-Cuba series for the right to wear the red pants in the WBC (mostly kidding, I actually expect what OM said to happen, and it will be a pretty bad-ass outfit...)
 

soxhop411

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Red sox have a private workout set up with the younger brother (Lourdes Gurriel)

Following a successful open showcase, Cuban talent Lourdes Gurriel will hold about a half-dozen private workouts for interested teams in the near future. The Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and Miami Marlins are amongst the teams setting up private workouts.

The younger brother of Astros infielder/outfielder Yulieski, who signed with Houston on July 16 and made his major league debut on August 21, Lourdes (who also goes by “Yunito”) is nine years his junior. Turning 23 on October 10, Lourdes will be eligible to sign with any team of his choosing at that time.

A shortstop by trade, Lourdes is big for the position at 6-foot-4 and could move to center field, third base, or elsewhere. The younger Gurriel showed power potential with a .967 OPS last year with Industriales of Cuba. Over his six seasons spent with two different teams in Cuba, he is slashing .277/.362/.426 with 27 career home runs and 23 stolen bases. He’s hit over .300 each of the last two seasons in Cuba, with an impressive 49 walks to 51 strikeouts over 503 total plate appearances over that time. He played mostly left field last season, but did appear at shortstop, third base, and second base as well. He made just one error on the season (in left field) over 90 total chances.
http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/news/lourdes-gurriel-schedule-workouts-interested-teams/