As the Kansas City Royals inch closer to a playoff berth, the team acquired Yuli Gurriel from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations on Saturday.
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Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino broke his thumb earlier this week and will miss six to eight weeks. Pasquantino’s injury sent Kansas City in search of reinforcements since the games the team plays down the stretch are pivotal to reaching the postseason.
Gurriel was on a minor league deal with the Braves and hadn’t spent any time in the big leagues this year. The first baseman’s minor league status was the reason he was eligible to be traded after the deadline.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Houston Astros celebrates with teammates during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Yuli Gurriel makes his way to Kansas City 40-man roster, following three slow seasons.
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Gurriel played his first seven big league seasons with the Houston Astros, then spent last year with the Miami Marlins. He had 12 home runs in 75 games for Atlanta’s Triple-A team this season.
In seven seasons with the Astros, the veteran slashed a solid .284/.328/.448 with a wRC+ of 111.
Gurriel’s best season in Houston was in 2021. The 40-year-old hit a .319 batting average en route to the AL batting title. He earned his only career Gold Glove award that same season.
The veteran first baseman has struggled the last few seasons to generate success in the majors.
Gurriel left the Astros following a lowly 2022 campaign. Since then, he’s tried to bounce back with the Marlins.
He joined the roster as a first baseman and designated hitter. Gurriel’s time in Miami didn’t pan out the way he had hoped as he earned a career-high 13.4% strikeout rate and a career-low .114 isolated slugging percentage.
The 40-year-old slashed just .245/.304/.359 for the Marlins which left him without a roster spot. Gurriel then found a place with Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate in April.
His time in the minors has proven successful as he slashed just .245/.304/.359 with Gwinnett.
Kansas City conducted a slew of moves ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline. The Royals claimed outfielders Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers.
Pham was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, but the Royals picked him up not long after. In St. Louis, Pham slashed .206/.286/.368 in 23 games.
Grossman has a stellar .809 OPS against left-handed pitchers throughout his 12-year career in MLB. Kansas City will likely use Grossman off the bench against lefties this season.
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