Yulieski Gurriel’s brother Lourdes signs a $22 million deal with the Blue Jays.

Until the Astros made Yulieski Gurriel a $47.5 million man, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had always been teammates with his brother. The two youngest sons of the first family of Cuban baseball spoke of their desire to play together in the major leagues, all the while knowing an array of variables made it far from a fait accompli.

Friday’s news ensured that, if they play on the same big league field in the foreseeable future, it will be as opponents. Lourdes, nine years younger and much less established than his 32-year-old brother, ended three months of free agency by agreeing to a seven-year deal worth $22 million with the Toronto Blue Jays, an industry source confirmed to the Chronicle.

The Astros, after signing Yulieski to a five-year deal in July, were among the teams interested in Lourdes, who likely will require seasoning in the upper levels of the minor leagues. They scouted his showcase in Panama in September, and they also saw him up close at Yulieski’s individual workout in Miami back in late June.

But ultimately, the Astros apparently felt their money would be better spent on filling one of their immediate position player needs, be it an outfielder, a catcher or a first baseman.

It is unclear at which position Lourdes will stick long term. He played mostly shortstop and left field his last year in Cuba, but he also has experience at first, second and third base. While his brother was a mostly known quantity after 15 years of professional baseball, Lourdes’ ceiling is up for debate among scouts.

Lourdes, who at 6-2 and 183 pounds is longer and lankier than the 6-0, 190-pound Yulieski, was declared a free agent in August but had incentive to not sign until the offseason. By waiting until after his 23rd birthday on Oct. 10, he was not subject to international signing guidelines, meaning the potential for more bidders and no spending caps.

Unlike years past, the Astros and Blue Jays will not play next spring training because of the Astros’ move from Kissimmee, Fla., to West Palm Beach, Fla. They play during the regular season in Toronto from July 6 to 9, and at Minute Maid Park from Aug. 4 to 6. There is no guarantee, however, that Lourdes will have made the Blue Jays’ active roster by then.

Yulieski batted .262 with three home runs, seven doubles and a .677 OPS in 130 at-bats after debuting for the Astros in August. The natural third baseman is likely to move to first base or left field next year because of how well Alex Bregman handled third base last season.