Sanchez: Yulieski Gourriel Granted Free Agency by MLB

According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, highly touted Cuban infielder Yulieski Gourriel has been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball and is free to sign with any team.

This news is especially notable for Yankees fans as the 32-year-old Gourriel has made no secret of desire to play in New York. In fact, it was just a month ago that fellow Cuban national Aroldis Chapman told Brendan Kuty of NJ.com that Gourriel had contacted him to ask him questions about what it was like to wear the pinstripes. It seems likely that Chapman’s report was positive given how much he’s seemed to enjoy his time in the Bronx.

Related Story: Chapman: Yulieski Gourriel Would Love to Play for the Yankees

There is no question that the Yankees could use the offense boost that Gourriel would likely provide. A career .335/.417/.580 hitter split between Japan and the Cuban National League, he is a polished line drive hitter with an advanced approach that should have little trouble making the adjustment to the big leagues.

He would likely need a minor league tuneup since his only recent professional game action was 49 games in the CNS last season. However, he would go a long way towards shoring up the club’s subpar infield production. Gourriel has played both second and third in his career, but could also presumably provide another option at first base for a club in dire need of depth at the position.

Of course, the odds against the Yankees adding what will surely be a substantial free agent contract to a veteran about to enter his decline years in the midst of a rebuild are slim. There have been zero reports to indicate that team officials are interested in the infielder, and it seems unlikely that Gourriel’s love of Alex Rodriguez and the rest of the Bombers will outweigh the stacks of cash their competitors will offer.

Despite their uneven play, New York does remain on the fringes of the Wild Card race. If Cashman and Steinbrenner decide to change course and go for it this year, Gourriel could provide them with a golden opportunity that wouldn’t require them sacrificing any of their young assets.