By Jose Alejandro Rodriguez Jazz / @jzas23
The 2023 MLB season is less than four weeks away. Most players are preparing for competition in spring training. Others have joined their national teams for the World Baseball Classic.
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However, in the case of Cuban first baseman Yuli Curiel, his situation is different. His contract with the Houston Astros expired when they won the 2022 World Series, and he entered free agency. Since then, he has failed to sign with any major league organization. However, he has been linked to various owners during the offseason, with whom he is in negotiations.
In recent weeks, the Miami Marlins were the team that pursued Gurriel, though the deal never materialized. The Floridians recently extended an invitation to Cuban to spring training. That said, Curiel did not respond to a $3 million proposal for a campaign aimed at finding common ground between Cuban and the franchise.
According to recent reports, the Cuban starter and the Marlins appear to be close to agreeing on a deal. truly, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted on Twitter Miami has been in talks with first baseman and free agent Yuli Kuriel to date, and if a deal goes through, it will most likely be a minor league deal.
Sources say the Marlins continue to talk with free-agent first baseman Yuli Kuriel @TheAthletic. Maybe a minor league deal if possible.
—Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 7, 2023
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Miami’s original vision for Kuriel was a right-handed trade-up hitter who could help at first, second and third base, despite his lack of experience at the latter two positions. That role still remains within the company and is subject to Kurial’s adoption.
It’s very likely that Kuriel’s situation will be defined over the next few days based on his immediate future in the majors. At age 38, not finding an Opening Day team could put him in a very difficult situation to continue his career in the major leagues. Let’s wait for the result.
