Amazing Cuban 2nd Basemen from WBC defects

[Guest GYC]

]Yuliesky Gourriel Jul. 28, 2006 - 6:14 pm et According to Dominican newspaper El Nacional, Cuban players Yuliesky Gourriel and Eduardo Paret may have defected and asked for asylum in Columbia. If Gourriel and Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka become available, it's going to be a very interesting offseason. Gourriel, who turned 22 in June, looked like Cuba's most talented player while hitting .273/.342/.515 in 33 at-bats in the WBC. Should he become a free agent, he'd likely be a regular at third or second for some team next year. The Yankees would surely be interested even though they're pretty well set at both positions. Paret, who was Cuba's shortstop in the tournament, would be less attractive to teams since he turns 34 in October. Source: El Nacional

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_previousnews.asp?sport=MLB&leaguenum=&id=4437

[Theoldmole]

Well, we know who could use a second baseman.

[Willets Point]

Does Omar know how to speak street Spanish in a Cuban accent?

[Guest Rotblatt]

Holy shit, I would kill to get Gourriel over here. And Matsuzaka too.

Just say the word, Omar.

[Frayed Knot]

That Cuban kid still needs a bit of polish in his game from what I saw but he has a wicked quick bat.

[metirish]

I imagine Boras will be waiting for him wherever he lands...he looked pretty freaking good in the WBC....

[Frayed Knot]

From this week's 'ASK BA':

Q: What's the deal with Cuban national team second baseman Yuliesky Gourriel? There were reports that he had defected last week. Now we hear those reports may have been false. Can you give us a definitive confirmation as to whether he defected and tell us what kind of player he would project to be in the majors?


A: There was quite a stir last week when several reports originated from Colombia that Gourriel had defected while there for the Central American and Caribbean Games. One Colombian newspaper reported that Gourriel quickly signed a deal with the Yankees. But none of that was true, and Gourriel returned home to Cuba after helping his team win another gold medal in international competition.

Gourriel, 22, is the defending Cuban League leader in homers (27) and RBIs (92) in a 90-game season. He also batted .273 with two homers and six RBIs at the World Baseball Classic, where Cuba lost to Japan in the finals. After that tournament, one scout estimated that Gourriel could command a $20 million contract if he hit the open market.

Gourriel has exceptionally quick hands and strong wrists, giving him tremendous bat speed and power. He's also a quality defender with above-average arm strength and range. He has played mostly second and third base for Cuba, and some scouts believe he could handle shortstop.

He has inherited the mantle of the best young player in Cuba from past stalwarts such as Omar Linares (who never defected) and Kendry Morales (now with the Angels). Gourriel is unlikely to join Morales in the United States, however, because of close family ties he'd be reluctant to sever. His father Lourdes, a former national team outfielder, manages him on the Sancti Spiritus club on which he plays with his brother Yuniesky, an outfielder.




-- Sounds like fans & GMs everywhere have to put it back in their pants.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Excuse me while I put it back in my pants.

[Elster88]

LOL.

Damn. A giant orange dude.