There was a small flicker of an idea that hid in the back of many Astros fans mind when the Astros signed Yulieski Gurriel to a five-year, $47.5 million contract. That idea was the Astros would have the inside track to sign his equality and possibly more potential-filled younger brother Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
No more.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. signed a seven-year, $22 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday as reported by MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez.
Sources: Cuban prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has agreed to a multi-year deal with Blue Jays. @MLB @mlbpipeline
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) November 11, 2016
Gurriel waited until his 23rd birthday to avoid international signing guidelines — he had been declared a free agent in August.
Lourdes Gurriel batted .344 (75x218) with 17 doubles, 10 home runs, and 53 RBIs in 58 games with Industriales of the Cuban Baseball Leauge in 2015. He played all over the diamond, focusing on shortstop and left field.
The most surprising thing about the deal is the value, compared to Yulieski’s near 50 million. But Lourdes will much more time in the minors before he’ll see him make the majors.