Cuban star wants s to play in The Bronx
Here’s some good news for Yankees fans that may have to endure yet another season of playofffree baseball: One of the top international prospects in the world wants to be a Yankee.
“This is the dream of all players — to play at the maximum level of baseball in all the world,” Havana Industriales third baseman Yulieski Gourriel told Yahoo Sports.
The 30yearold Gourriel wants to join the Yankees to play alongside his favorite player, Alex Rodriguez.
However, it’s not that simple: Gourriel won’t come to the United States until the embargo on Cuba is lifted and he receives permission from the Cuban government.
”[ We] are ready when they say we have permission to play,” he said. “We are ready for the lifting of the blockade. Then we can come play.”
Texas Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel, who has watched Gourriel play, told Yahoo there will be financial complications arising from Cuban players defecting to the United States.
“The Cuban government is going to want to be compensated just the way the clubs in Japan are compensated when one of their players leaves,” Nadel said. “If the Cubans are going to let their players leave, the U. S. teams are going to have to pay the Cuban team, which is essentially the government.”
Gourriel, who has also played in Japan, received a glowing scouting report from Nadel.
“Every time you see [ Gourriel], you see something special,” Nadel said. “He rises to the occasion in international tournaments. He’s no secret. …
“Just look at what he did in Japan last summer. He hit over .300 with power. He’s going back there this summer. He’s legitimately a majorleaguer in any league.”