Yuli Gurriel Has Finally Decided On His 2023 Destination

A deal is finally done for the former American League batting champion.

After weeks of speculation, free agent Yuli Gurriel has finally latched on with the team all of baseball assumed he was going to, the Miami Marlins. 

Free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel in agreement with Marlins, source tells @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 9, 2023

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Gurriel has reached a deal with the Fish. It's not yet known if it's a major league or minor league deal. Speculation in recent days was that Gurriel would have to accept the latter. 

Last month, the Marlins were known to have offered Gurriel a deal worth in the range of $2M,  but the offer fell through after about a week when the Cuban first baseman hadn't yet responded.

Just a hop, skip and a jump from his homeland, the 38-year-old Gurriel will suit up for only the second team he has known in the majors, after spending seven years with the Houston Astros. 

Gurriel won the AL batting crown in 2021 (along with a Gold Glove), with a .319 average to go along with an .846 OPS. He added 15 homers and 81 RBIs. 

His 2022, however, saw him come crashing back down to earth, as he managed only a .242 average with a .647 OPS, along with just eight home runs. 

The Marlins now have the batting champs from the past two seasons, as they added 2022 leader Luis Arraez in a trade from the Minnesota Twins. 

Photo: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports