Reports: Astros agree to $47.5 million deal with Yulieski Gourriel

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Saturday, July 16, 2016

Cuban star infielder Yulieski Gourriel has agreed to a five-year, $47.5 million contract with the Houston Astros, according to multiple reports.

Gourriel, who defected from Cuba in February, was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball last month. He drew interest from multiple teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and New York Mets.

But the Astros reportedly have won the services of the 32-year-old Gourriel, one of the most accomplished players in Cuban baseball history. The deal was first reported Friday by MLB.com.

Gourriel represented Cuba in three World Baseball Classic tournaments and also was a member of Cuba's Olympic team in 2008.

Projected as either a third baseman or second baseman in the majors, Gourriel had been training in South Florida with his younger brother, Lourdes Gourriel, who also defected in February.