Yuliesky Gourriel defected?

by Stephcaflowne on Jul 28, 2006 4:09 PM EDT

For those of you that don't know, this is the guy that was Cuba's star second baseman in the World Baseball Classic. He also plays third base.

It seems Eduardo Paret has also defected. They are reportedly both in Colombia.

http://www.elnacional.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=59855
CARTAGENA, Colombia.- Los peloteros cubanos Yulieski Gurriel y Eduardo Paret habrían desertado en el puerto colombiano de Cartagena, sede los XX Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, aseguró este viernes la prensa local.

"Uno de los miembros de la novena cubana que desertó sería el estelar segunda base Yulieski Gurriel considerado como uno de los mejores del mundo en su posición. Al parecer, su próximo destino sería el equipo de los Yankees, de Nueva York", informó el diario El Tiempo de Bogotá.

Según el periódico, "el otro desertor del equipo cubano sería el paracorto Eduardo Paret".

El martes, los deportistas cubanos Damaris Nay, Julio Acosta y Carlos Castillo desertaron en República Dominicana, subsede para las competencias de balonmano en los XX Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe

Through a Babelfish translation, it says:
CARTAGENA, Colombia. - The Cuban peloteros Yulieski Gurriel and Eduardo Paret would have deserted in the Colombian port of Cartagena, seat XX the Central American Games and the Caribbean, it assured east Friday the local press. "One of the members of the Cuban novena that deserted would be stellar the second base Yulieski Gurriel considered like one of the best ones of the world in its position. Apparently, its next destiny would be the equipment of the Yankees, New York ", informed the newspaper the Time into Bogota. According to the newspaper, "the other deserter of the Cuban equipment would be paracorto Eduardo Paret". Tuesday, the Cuban sportsmen Damaris Nay, Julio Acosta and Carlos Castle deserted in Dominican, subhost Republic for the competitions of handball in XX the Central American Games and of the Caribbean

Don't know if this is true or not since it hasn't been reported by US press yet but if it is, it's huge. This guy could immediatly be a top prospect in baseball.

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Comments

How old are they?

"Second guessers are guys that could have never gotten it right the first time." - Tommy Lasorda (for guys that have no other defense for their actions.)

by slurve on Jul 28, 2006 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

gurriel is 21 i believe

by Dfarth on Jul 28, 2006 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Possible Comps...

http://www.cubancards.com/the_hitters_and_defenders.shtml

my opinion of course,

Yuliesky Gourriel could be compared to Alfonso Soriano with more glove and less power. He could hit 20-25 homers, but not 45 like Soriano's going to. He has a near perfect swing. Great athlete.

Eduardo Paret looks like Miguel Tejada with less muscle, but plays like a Jeter with more glove. Overall great player...

Both these guys could play for any team right now. Hold the 30 lashes...obviously you wouldn't replace Jeter with Paret, but you know what I mean. They will be top draft picks/free agents for sure.

by themurph @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

he's a stud

definately most impressive of the cubans at the WBC. . . swing reminds me of a young juan gonzalez

by SoCalSoxFan on Jul 28, 2006 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Gourriel

He recently turned 22.

by albo4lyfe on Jul 28, 2006 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

WOOWWW

this is big.

by nms on Jul 28, 2006 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

This is huge

Gourriel played well at the WBC. In 8 games he batted 273 with 2 long balls and 6 RBIS. And he is only 22, thats awesome, since he was playing against some big names in the game.

by baseball006 on Jul 28, 2006 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

The Cubans

Gourriel and Kendry Morales were considered Cuba's two hot-shot prospects when they were both coming up as teenagers. Gourriel has less raw power, but much more defensive value as an average defender at second base.

Paret's 33 and not really a prospect. He could get a minor league contract with someone.

I don't know anything about the pitchers.

Reports from the Dominican Republic! http://globalbaseball.wordpress.com

by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

If true...

there's going to be a huge bidding war for Gourriel. Every team in baseball has seen the kid play. If he doesn't sign for at least $5 million, I'll be shocked.

Keep in mind, though, he has to naturalize in a country other than Cuba before he's able to sign. It might not happen until next year.

Reports from the Dominican Republic! http://globalbaseball.wordpress.com

by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

Right...

Some guys have issues with papers and that can last longer than one year. I also didn't realize Paret was 33? Are you sure?

by themurph @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

pretty sure

According to the World Cup website, Paret was born in October, 1972.

Cuba uses its top guys, no matter what age, to dominate international competition.

Reports from the Dominican Republic! http://globalbaseball.wordpress.com

by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

link

http://statistieken.wkhonkbal.nl/stats.php/player/view/T.7-P.6/

Reports from the Dominican Republic! http://globalbaseball.wordpress.com

by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

guess on where they will end up.

The Braves have signed quite a few Cubano's in the last two years, but none in the class of Gourriel. He may be too pricey.

I see the Yanks or the Mets taking him...maybe the Angels because they paid something similar for Kendry Morales.

by themurph @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Yankees

If I were to guess, I'd say the Yankees.

They were mentioned in the article, they have the money to buy him, they've shown a willingness to spend it (Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances, etc.) and it was rumored that they were very interested in getting him to defect during the WBC.

by Stephcaflowne on Jul 29, 2006 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

How long....

....did it take Morales from when he defected to when he signed with the Angels?

[go tribe]

by matt k on Jul 28, 2006 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

WOW

this guy was a very exciting player in the WBC! I hope the story is true and he makes it to the states... or Canada.

by TheBlues on Jul 28, 2006 6:25 PM EDT reply actions

WBC

The announcers hyped this guy up at the WBC but I never noticed anything that blew me away when I saw him.

by OneHitWonder @ Minor League Ball on Jul 28, 2006 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Overrated

I agree.
He looked capable of playing in the big leagues, but there was nothing there to cause me to think he's going to be a star. I don't think he'll hit enough to be more than an average second baseman in his prime.

by FI @ Minor League Ball on Jul 29, 2006 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

A better translation

CARTAGENA, Colombia. - Cuban baseball players Yulieski Gurriel and Eduardo Paret have deserted to the Colombian port of Cartagena, site of the XX Central American and Caribbean Games, the local press reported Friday.

"One of the members of the Cuban team that deserted would be stellar [recently turned 22-year-old] second baseman Yulieski Gurriel, considered to be one of the best in the world at his position. Apparently, he hopes his destination would be the New York Yankees," informed the newspaper "The Time" of Bogota.

According to the newspaper, "The other deserter of the Cuban team would be [33 year old] shortstop Eduardo Paret." Tuesday, Cuban athletes Damaris Nay, Julio Acosta and Carlos Castillo deserted in the Dominican Republic, subhost for the competitions of handball in the XX Central American and Caribbean Games.

by limozeen on Jul 28, 2006 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

hehe

Yes! I've beenw aiting for this, watched almost everygame of the WBC. Now, hopefully he signs with LOS METROS after he gets his visa and what not.

by JD Sussman on Jul 28, 2006 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

Metropolitans

"Now, hopefully he signs with LOS METROS after he gets his visa and what not."

Jesus. Could we ever use him. You can't depend on a 36 yo veteran to put up back to back career years.

by Emad on Jul 28, 2006 7:10 PM EDT reply actions

Word from ESPN Deportes...

Is that he didn't really defect.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=464576

by MontrealMets on Jul 29, 2006 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

word from me

is that I can't understand a goddamn thing in that article.

"Second guessers are guys that could have never gotten it right the first time." - Tommy Lasorda (for guys that have no other defense for their actions.)

by slurve on Jul 30, 2006 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions