CBS sport: Royals sign in Braves two-time world series champ in a blockbuster deal.
It has been a busy weekend for the Kansas City Royals. The team acquired veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel through a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Saturday after claiming outfielders Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers.
Gurriel hasn’t played in the majors at all this season and has spent the whole of 2024 with the Braves’ Triple-A team, which allowed the Braves and Royals to finalize this transaction well after the trade deadline. In exchange for the eight-year veteran, Kansas City would send money to Atlanta, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post on X.
During his seven seasons with the Houston Astros, Gurriel was the winner of four American League Pennants and two World Series rings. In 2017, he came in fourth place in the Rookie of the Year vote. In 2021, he had one of his best seasons, winning the batting title with an average of.319 and winning the Gold Glove for his first-base effort.
Gurriel left Houston and signed with the Miami Marlins following a dismal 2022 season. He played 108 games for the Marlins, posting an OPS+ of 77 and a.663 OPS, but he was unable to make an impression with his new organization. After two disappointing seasons in a row, Gurriel agreed to a 2024 minor league deal with the Braves.
The forty-year-old infielder had a strong Gwinnett Stripers season. Gurriel struck.292/378/.485 in 75 games with the Braves’ Triple-A club, including 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBI, and 38 runs scored. In addition, he recorded 11 stolen bases, three more than he had in his greatest major league season.
With a three-game advantage over the New York Mets for the last National League Wild Card spot, the Braves will play on Saturday. Despite having a lot of injuries this season, the club is still holding out hope of making the playoffs. The Braves might have used Gurriel, but with two-time All-Star Matt Olsen firmly established at first base, the team didn’t need him.
