MIAMI, United States. — The fate of Cuban infielder Yuli Gurriel remains unknown ahead of the 2023 season of the American Major Leagues.
Since entering free agency, Gurriel has been associated with several teams; However, so far no franchise has bet heavily on the man from Sancti Spiritus.
At the moment, two options would appear on the Antillean table: the Minnesota Twins and the Astros themselves, who signed Gurriel in the already distant summer of 2016.
The Minnesota management would not look badly on the arrival at Target Field of the two-time World Series winner (2017 and 2022), who would bring experience and quality to a squad used to not competing in the postseason.
One of the factors that would influence Gurriel’s arrival in Minnesota would be his former teammate Carlos Correa. The Puerto Rican shortstop, franchise player for the Twins, could be key to bringing the Cuban closer to that organization due to the closeness and friendship between the two.
Another possibility is that Yuli Gurriel returns with the Astros, a franchise with which he has made history in the last seven years. Although the Houston management is aware of the affection of the fans towards the Cuban, the sidereals have already strengthened their position with José Abreu and they would not be in a position to offer him the same contract either.
Despite his 38 years, in Houston they still believe that the Cuban could be very useful, as he demonstrated in the last postseason, although surely not in a leading role.
Apparently, from the player’s environment it is ensured that he will end up opting for the team that offers him the best chance of competing for a position.
In recent weeks there has also been talk of the possibility of the Miami Marlins signing Gurriel, although the chances of the Cuban landing in Little Havana seem to have vanished.