Yankees News: Top International Prospect Interested in Joining the Yankees

Hang on to your seats for this one Yankees fans! I’ve got some pretty interesting news. Yulieski Gourriel, one of baseball’s top international prospects in the world want’s to don the Pinstripe uniform!

“This is the dream of all players – to play at the maximum level of baseball in all the world,” the third base prospect told Yahoo spots.

Gourriel, a 30-year old Cuban prospect, want’s to join the New York Yankees and play alongside his idol Alex Rodriguez.

But here’s the catch. The young third-baseman will not come to the United States until the embargo on Cuba is lifted and his government gives him permission to come stateside.

“[We] are ready when they say we have permission to play. We are ready for the lifting of the blockade. Then we can come play.”

On top of all of this, longtime Texas Ranger broadcaster Eric Nadal, who has followed Cuban international prospects closely, told Yahoo that financial problems will arise in the near future for Cuban players defecting to the United States.

"“The Cuban government is going to want to be compensated just the way the clubs in Japan are compensated when one of their players leaves,” he said. “If the Cubans are going to let their players leave, the US teams are going to have to pay the Cuban team, which is essentially the government.”"

I’m not so sure the MLB is interested in extending their posting system into Cuba, but time will certainly tell.

Yulieski Gourriel, who also spent some time playing professional baseball in Japan, received some praise from Nadel.

"“Every time you see [Gourriel], you see something special,” Nadel said. “He rises to the occasions in international tournaments. He’s no secret. Just look at what he did in Japan last summer. He hit over .300 with power. He’s going to be back there this summer. He’s legitimately a major leaguer in any league.”"

If what Nadel is saying about the international prospect is true, than another problem in and of itself is that the Yankees just don’t have room for him right now. Unless Gourriel, is going to audition for another position with the New York Yankees, he probably won’t receive a contract offer that he’s looking for. The Yankees are committed to Chase Headley manning third base for the next four years after inking him to a contract extension over the off-season.

This is certainly an interesting storyline to follow going forward.