Report: Astros Sign Yulieski Gurriel

The Astros, according to multiple reports, have signed Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel to a $47.5 million, five-year contract.

The news was first reported by MLB.com. Gurriel, 32, left Cuba in early February along with younger brother Lourdes, in search of the riches of a major league contract.

That came after Yulieski passed on the opportunity to return to play for Yokohama in Japan on a multi-million dollar contract that the BayStars eventually terminated when Gurriel wouldn’t report to their spring training. Gurriel had long been considered the best Cuban player left on the island until he left. He won back-to-back MVP awards in Cuba at age 20 and 21, and even this year, after threatening not to play in Serie Nacional, ended up hitting .500/.589/.874 with just three strikeouts in 224 plate appearances with 38 walks and 15 home runs. His prime years might be behind him, but he’s clearly still a skilled offensive player.

Gurriel participated in a series of private workouts for teams in the past few weeks, including the Dodgers, Astros, Mets, Yankees and Red Sox.

It’s unclear where Gurriel fits with the Astros, who already have All-Stars at second base and shortstop in Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, as well as a player on the rise in Alex Bregman, who has played third base at Double-A in order to gain more versatility for a potential big league callup.

Gurriel played third base for Industriales. Listed at 6-foot, 195 pounds, he has lightning-fast hands and classic third base tools with arm strength, body control and plus power. He has played professionally before in Japan but did not report in 2015 to play for the Yokohama DeNa BayStars. He played for the BayStars in 2014 for 62 games, hitting .305/.349/.536 with 22 doubles and 11 home runs in 258 plate appearances.

It’s uncertain how much time Gurriel would need in the minor leagues to knock off any rust before making his much-anticipated major league debut.