Update: May 17th
Aroldis Chapman has been one of the most successful Cuban-born Major League Baseball players and now he is being showered with questions from a Cuban superstar.
Yulieski Gourriel is expected to garner a multi-million dollar MLB contract, and would “love” to don the Yankees pinstripes via NJ Advance Media.
Chapman has known Gourriel for several years. The two of them spent time competing on the Cuban national team. Their last conversation took place two weeks ago, Chapman said via NJ Advance Media.
“He has asked me many questions,” Chapman said via NJ Advance Media. “But that’s normal because, Cuban people, they always want to ask you how’s the baseball at this level, what’s the organization and all that. It’s typical for Cuban people to ask questions about the Yankees.”
In response, Chapman gave his take on playing for the Yankees.
“Definitely the environment here is different from anywhere else,” Chapman said via NJ Advance Media, who headlines a trio of one of the toughest bullpens in all of baseball. “I’ve only been with two teams but for me this is the best environment I’ve been in. It’s a nice atmosphere here. The clubhouse, too.”
Gourriel has put up daunting numbers in Cuba and has “everything he needs to play at this level,” said Chapman.
The Yankees have an infield filled with young up and coming talent in the minors, and signed Chase Headley to a massive deal recently so it seems Gourriel is an unlikely fit in the Bronx.
Original post: Feb 9th
Gourriel is widely regarded as the best Cuban player remaining who has defected and is looking to join Major League Baseball, specifically the Yankees. His 22-year-old brother Lourdes will be looking for an opportunity in MLB as well.
In his 15 seasons, the 31-year-old has hit to a .333 batting average while blasting 245 homeruns with 999 RBI. He is a third baseman by trade, but can move to second base as well.
Yulieski is lighting up pitching thus far in the 2015-2016 season, batting to a ridiculous average of .535 with 10 homeruns in a span of 23 games. The Yankees seem to have their infield covered this season and the rest of the roster figured out, but maybe they can make an exception for the stud infielder.
Gourriel told Yahoo Sports he wanted to play at the “maximum level of baseball in all of the world.” One of the reasons he likes New York is due to the fact his favorite player is a Yankee, Alex Rodriguez. He would love the idea of playing with A-Rod in New York.
The Yankees have a starting third baseman in Chase Headley who signed a four-year, $52MM extension in 2015. Headley had a tough start last season, finishing with a .259 average with 11 homeruns. However he was a model of durability, playing in 156 games last season.
Then there is new Yankee Starlin Castro who fits the bill at second base if Gourriel was willing to move to the right side of the infield. The 25-year-old Castro is signed through 2019, and he is going to be given every opportunity to shine in Pinstripes.
This leaves Gourriel in a tough situation if he wants to make his way to the Bronx.
He may not be a natural fit for the Yankees because of the position depth ahead of him, and the Bombers have not spent a dollar on free-agents this offseason, which could play a factor. The team seems happy with the roster for 2016 and as of now have had no reported interest in signing the Cuban star, but having the top available Cuban player wanting to don the Pinstripes is something to keep an eye on.
