The San Diego Padres wanted a veteran bat after Jurickson Profar left city through free company. The workforce agreed to a minor-league cope with first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Nonetheless, figuring out if that is the suitable transfer for the Padres won’t be that easy.
Gurriel was an elite first baseman
An argument for Gurriel begins along with his championship pedigree. He received two World Collection titles (2017 and 2022) in 4 appearances with the Houston Astros. Gurriel batted .261 with 8 HRs and 39 RBIs in 92 playoff video games.
Gurriel gives a gradual defensive presence at first base, as he was an American League Glove Glove winner in 2021. Gurriel had the highest fielding share for first basemen in consecutive seasons (.996 in 2019 and .998 in 2020). Gurriel’s vary could also be declining, however his glove across the bag continues to be elite.
How a lot is left within the bat?
In his time with the Astros, he received an AL batting title with a .310 batting common in 2021. However age (Gurriel turns 41 in June) has slowed his stroke lately. Gurriel has batted within the low .240s over the past three seasons.
The 2024 marketing campaign noticed him break up time with the Atlanta Braves Triple-A affiliate (Gwinnett) and the Kansas Metropolis Royals. He batted .241 with 6 RBIs in 18 video games with the Royals. Gurriel helped them earn a postseason berth coming off the bench.
The Padres lineup is already too right-handed dominant, and including Gurriel doesn’t clear up this downside. At first of spring coaching, Mike Shildt introduced that Luis Arraez was the first first baseman. The addition of Gurriel gives one other bench participant with postseason expertise.
Can Darvish and Gurriel exist in the identical locker room?
The one side of the transaction that can not be answered is Yu Darvish’s response to the transfer. It’s possible you’ll recall Fox Sports activities’ cameras caught Gurriel making a racist gesture within the Astros dugout after homering off Darvish in Sport 3 of the 2017 World Collection.
Commissioner Rob Manfred wasted little time in handing down punishment for his actions. Gurriel was suspended for the primary 5 video games of the 2018 season. Manfred felt no excuse or clarification made his conduct acceptable in a significant league dugout.
Gurriel countered that his intentions have been by no means to offend Darvish. He contested the dugout dialog centered on him believing Darvish thought he was Japanese and gave him a very good pitch to hit.
Earlier than Sport 5, Darvish issued a press release forgiving him and hoping everybody might be taught from the incident. Later within the offseason, Gurriel did supply an apology to Darvish through his Twitter account.
Time will inform if this incident turns into a distraction contained in the Padres locker room. Darvish is a workforce chief and can let his true emotions be recognized concerning the deal.
Based on varied media studies, Gurriel will earn $ 1.25 million if he makes the Opening Day roster and one other $1 million by reaching a number of incentives all through the season.
Thus, not a lot of an funding if Gurriel is deemed an issue.
