The recent signing of veteran free agent Yuli Gurriel by the Atlanta Braves has given hope to other players still looking for teams. Gurriel, a former batting champion, is 39 years old and primarily plays first base. He signed a minor-league contract with the Braves, suggesting he may struggle to advance beyond that role due to the presence of strong players like Matt Olson on the team.
Olson, who plays first base for Atlanta, has been a standout player, playing all 162 games three times and leading the majors in home runs and RBIs in the 2023 season. At age 30, he is considered to be at the peak of his career, while Gurriel is said to be declining. Despite career highs in batting average, home runs, and RBIs in previous seasons, Gurriel hit just .245 with the Miami Marlins last year. Additionally, he is known for his versatility, having played multiple positions throughout his career.
Gurriel’s versatility may come in handy for the Braves, who have a stacked infield with players like Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley. It is unlikely that Gurriel will fill the designated hitter role either, as Marcell Ozuna has been a key player for the team in that position. The Braves see Gurriel as a potential bench player or a trade piece to strengthen their pitching rotation before the trading deadline on July 30. In the meantime, Gurriel will provide depth for the team and insurance in case of injuries.
While the terms of Gurriel’s contract were not disclosed, it is unlikely that he will earn anywhere near his peak salary of $14.4 million. Other veteran free agents are also facing challenges in finding teams willing to pay their asking prices, including players like Wil Myers, AJ Pollack, and Zack Greinke. However, there may be opportunities for players like Trevor Bauer, who has expressed a willingness to work for the major-league minimum salary if his contract includes incentives. Bauer, a former Cy Young Award winner, was suspended in 2022 for violations of MLB’s sexual abuse policy and has not played in the majors since being released by the Dodgers.
