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MLB Rumor Central: What's the market for Yulieski Gourriel?

The Mets said that signing Jose Reyes would not preclude them from making an offer for infielder Yulieski Gourriel. Enrique De La Osa/Reuters

After Cuban free agent Yulieski Gourriel worked out for the New York Mets on Monday, Mets GM Sandy Alderson told reporters that the 32-year-old would like to sign with a team "in the next week to two weeks," per his agent. That said, who will make a run at the slugger?

Rumor Central

According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees are all "in" on Gourriel. The Mets, Dodgers and Astros have already worked out the coveted Cuban, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports notes, while the Giants are expected to soon, per Bowden.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will host Gourriel for a private workout in Tampa next week, according to George A. King III of the New York Post.

So how does Gourriel fit with each of these teams?

  • The Mets are an obvious match, given David Wright's injury woes. However, Alderson said the team is undecided on whether it will place an offer on Gourriel after his workout. "We’re still evaluating where we are," Alderson said Tuesday. "We had a lot of people down there yesterday to take a look. We haven't made a decision on that yet." Of course, the Mets signed Jose Reyes last weekend, but Alderson says that won't prevent them from adding Gourriel as well. "Jose gives us a lot of versatility and therefore a lot of flexibility," Alderson said. "So in that sense I don’t think he precludes someone like Gourriel necessarily."

  • We explored the Dodgers' interest here at the time of Gourriel's workout with them, noting that Bowden hears they prefer Justin Turner, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, over the Cuban. That said, if they like their chances to retain Turner after this year, they might not get too involved in the bidding.

  • The Astros are an intriguing match for Gourriel as they have a plethora of young infielders in their system. Beyond major league stars Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve, top first-base prospect A.J. Reed is up with the club, while Colin Moran has also seen time in the majors this season. Not to mention, Alex Bregman, the No. 2 pick in last year's draft, is on the fast track to the majors as well. With all that in mind, Rosenthal suggests that the Stros could shift somebody, including Gourriel, to the outfield in order to accommodate a potential signing.

  • The Giants' interest could just be due diligence. Third baseman Matt Duffy (Achilles) and second baseman Joe Panik (concussion) are both on the disabled list, as are utility men Ramiro Pena (ankle) and Kelby Tomlinson (thumb). However, Duffy and Panik aren't expected to be out long, so it's hard to imagine the team would acquire Gourriel as a replacement for either. "We definitely want to be as thorough as we can when it comes to international talent," Giants GM Bobby Evans told Rosenthal. "We're always trying to make sure we attend workouts and evaluate the relative options that are out there. It's no secret that we have a third baseman. But when it comes to these types of players, I just believe in being thorough."

  • The Yankees, like the Mets, are a logical fit given their need for better production at third base. Chase Headley has been hitting better of late, but the team could still use more offense from the infield. New York might also consider the Cuban as a designated hitter given Alex Rodriguez's struggles this year.

  • The Angels need all the help they can get in the infield, so it wouldn't be surprising if they made a run at Gourriel. However, they haven't been connected to the slugger too much, and owner Arte Moreno's reluctance to spend big in the offseason could still be a factor for the team.