According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel has found a new home by signing a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. Gurriel, 40, was acquired by the Kansas City Royals in August and has participated in 18 games for them, batting.241/.338/.296. According to Heyman, Gurriel will receive $1.25 million if he makes the major league roster, with up to $1 million in incentives.
Report: Veteran infielder Yuli Gurriel Signs With Padres
Gurriel is best recognized for his tenure with the Houston Astros, when he won two World Series titles, a Gold Glove, and was the American League batting champion. Gurriel is the fifth player in MLB history to win both an Olympic gold medal and a World Series title. Over nine MLB seasons, the 40-year-old has established himself as one of baseball’s most reliable contact hitters. Gurriel has a career.280/.326/.438 batting line, 952 hits, 98 home runs, 468 RBI, and a.764 OPS. The Cuban-born infielder, nicknamed “La Piña,” excels in clutch circumstances, particularly during the postseason.
After leaving the Astros after the 2022 World Series, Gurriel signed a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins. In 108 games with Miami, he batted.245/.304/.359 with four home runs and 27 RBI. Gurriel signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves in 2024, playing 75 games for Triple-A Gwinnett before being traded to Kansas City.
While he may not be as talented as Pete Alonso or Christian Walker, Gurriel provides the Padres with another right-handed bat capable of making heavy contact. What he contributes to San Diego, however, extends beyond his offensive abilities. Gurriel is primarily a first baseman, however he spent the majority of his career in Cuba at third base and has started across the infield. His Gold Glove defence, paired with his postseason experience, makes him an important addition to the Padres’ squad, whether as a depth piece or an everyday player.
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