top of page
Writer's pictureRay Otero-Alonso
Jan 23, 20232 min read

MLB 2023 | Yuli is close to signing, W. Sox will offer Colás opportunities, López won't pitch in WBC

Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2022-2023 offseason. A compendium from several sources


Yulieski Gurriel (Photo: Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Marlins are moving towards an agreement with free agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel.


Feinsand adds that no deal has been finalized yet, but the Marlins appears to be close to the finish line. Gurriel turns 39 years old this season, and is coming off a right knee injury that he sustained in the Fall Classic, but would give Miami another solid veteran bat in their lineup. He'd likely split time with Garrett Cooper at first base this upcoming season, but it's possible there are more moves coming for the Marlins before spring training. As Gurriel's market heats up, the Marlins are the only team previously reported as being interested. This week, Minnesota and Miami collaborated on a trade to send Luis Arraez to South Beach, which will free up Gurriel for first base duties (Chisholm Jr. will move to center field). After seven seasons in Houston, Gurriel became a free agent this winter. With the Astros, the 38-year-old had some very successful seasons, but his production dipped significantly in 2022. Over 584 plate appearances last year, he hit just .242/.288/.360 with eight home runs. He finished with a wRC+ of 85, about 15 percent lower than average and well down from his previous 132 mark.



White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said on Saturday in a radio interview with 670 The Score that top prospect Oscar Colás will be "given every opportunity" this spring to win the starting job in right field.


Colás signed with the White Sox as an international free agent last offseason and tore the cover off the ball last season in the upper minors, slashing .314/.424/.645 with 23 homers and three steals across 536 plate appearances over three levels. The 24-year-old will compete in the Cactus League with the likes of Gavin Sheets, Victor Reyes, Leury Garcia and Jake Marisnick for the starting job in right field. There's a decent chance that he makes Chicago's season-opening roster and he could make an immediate impact in the team.


RHP Yoán López won’t pitch for Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic


In the weeks following his announcement on Cuba's preliminary roster for the international competition, López declined the invitation to play for Team Cuba. As reported on the Cuban Baseball Federation's Twitter account, López appreciated the call, but declined to join the Cuban team for the V World Baseball Classic. "We respect your willingness to focus on matters related to your signing with the Yomiuri Giants. Thank you for wishing us success. There will be other opportunities.", read the Twitter notification.




Comments

News

BCL Americas

WBSC reveals the second Americas Baseball Champions League set for April 2025
Second edition of the Americas Baseball Champions League announced.

U15

Carlos Sarduy's outstanding performance leads Cuba to win the II U-15 Caribbean Cup title
Carlos Sarduy's brilliant start helped Cuba secure a 1-0 win against the Bahamas, earning the gold at the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Cuba advances to the final of the U-15 Caribbean Cup, after beating the US Virgin Islands 10-0
In the first semi-final, Cuba defeated the US Virgin Islands 10-0, advancing to the final of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Bahamas big third inning ends Cuba's undefeated run with an 11-8 win in the U-15 Caribbean Cup.
Bahamas ended Cuba's unbeaten streak with an 11-8 victory in the last game of the qualifying round of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

In its second appearance at the U-15 Caribbean Cup, Cuba defeated St. Maarten 13-1 in five innings
Cuba with second win in the U15 Caribbean Cupa, fter beating Saint Marteen 13-1.

U15

Revised schedule following adjustments due to the confirmed absence of the Dominican Republic
The schedule for the II U-15 Caribbean Cup has been adjusted following the absence of the Dominican Republic.

U15

Cuba made a strong start with a solid 12-0 win against the US Virgin Islands in the U-15 Caribbean Cup
Cuba starts the II U-15 Caribbean Cup with a win, after a 12-0 victory over the Virgin Islands.

U15

Cuba for the title of the second edition of the U-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup that begins today in the Bahamas
Starting today, Cuba will take part in the Caribbean Baseball Cup U-15 category, eager to obtain the title.

WBSC

Cuba at its lowest point in history following the announcement of the new WBSC/KONAMI world ranking
Cuba drops two spots in the WBSC/KONAMI world rankings following the conclusion of the Premier12 world tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei wins its first ever world title with a 4-0 rout of Japan. USA wins bronze after beating Venezuela 6-1
Chinese Taipei made history with its first-ever World Cup championship after beating Japan 4-0 at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday night.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6, ahead of Sunday's final. Team USA beat Venezuela 6-5, and both will compete for bronze
Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6 and both teams will play the Premier12 final this Sunday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Shugo Maki's grand slam gives Japan a 9-6 win over Venezuela. Chinese Taipei continues to surprise and beat Team USA 8-2 in the afternoon
Samurai Japan remains undefeated with a 9-6 win over Venezuela, while Taipei disposes of Team USA 8-2 on Friday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan convincing win, beats Team USA 9-1. Venezuela also has its first win by beating Chinese Taipei 2-0
Japan had a convincing first win against Team USA while Venezuela also beat Chinese Tapei in the start of the Super Round.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei blanks Cuba 2-0, advances to the Super Round as second in Group B. Japan undefeated
Chinese Taipei defeated Cuba 2-0, advancing to the Super Round in Tokyo with a 4-1 record. Cuba is at the bottom of Group B.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan secures a spot in the Super Round of the global tournament by narrowly defeating Cuba 7-6
Japan secured first place in Group B of the WBSC Premier12 with a hard-fought 7-6 win over Cuba.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba secures its first win thanks to Yadir Drake's crucial home run and strong performance from the bullpen
Yadir Drake's home run and the work of the Cuban bullpen keep Cuban hopes alive in the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba is aiming to secure a must win against Australia to stay alive in Group B. Darío Sarduy appointed as the starting pitcher
Cuba will go up against Australia this Saturday at 12:00 pm local time in Taiwan, aiming to secure a crucial first win.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | South Korea handed Cuba its second loss with two home runs by Kim Do-yeong, during a disastrous performance by Liván Moinelo
South Korea defeated Cuba 8-4 to hand them their second defeat of the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba suffered its first defeat, 6-1, following a late comeback by the Dominican Republic
In the opening game of Group B at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 in Taipei City, the Dominican Republic handed Cuba a difficult 6-1 loss.

Premier12

Preparations are underway for the inaugural Copa América de Béisbol in 2025, which will serve as a qualifying event for major world tournaments
A Copa América Baseball tournament is on the horizon for 2025.
bottom of page