By José Alejandro Rodríguez Zas
Cuban starter Yuli Gurriel continues to look for a team this offseason for MLB 2023, as part of free agency. While the possibility of returning to the Houston Astros, the team with which he has played each of his seven seasons in the Majors, has been mentioned, he has also been linked to other Major League franchises, including the Boston Red Sox.
This time, a bleacherreport.com article projected that Gurriel could be signing with the Tampa Bay Rays or the Seattle Mariners soon, considering the Cuban’s market value and the needs of both teams.
In the case of the Rays, the lack of offensive power is one of the limitations that the organization currently has, the source said, something that Yuli could cover, not precisely because he should connect a large number of home runs in 2023, but because of his excellent offensive frequencies demonstrated in the most recent seasons and the 2022 playoffs, in addition to his high total of extrabases, which would contribute to the Floridian roster.
As for the Mariners, after bolstering the outfield with the addition of AJ Pollock, the American League West Division squad needs a first baseman to alternate with Ty France or an occasional designated hitter, especially given Gurriel’s market value of $12 million per season, according to recent projections by SpotRac.com.
“Gurriel, now 38, would fill this role for Seattle if they make the move. He would also come at an affordable, reasonable price. The risk-reward in a signing like this leans heavily in favor of reward,” the aforementioned source specified.
“While Gurriel is aging and his production waned last season, he provides depth as a versatile infielder with experience playing at each spot throughout his career,” he added.
And you, my friend reader, what do you think about it, will Yuli Gurriel sign with Seattle or Tampa Bay?
