“He needs to retire already” – Fans react as Padres sign 2x World Series winner Yuli Gurriel on minor league deal

Former Houston Astros star Yuli Gurriel has joined the San Diego Padres on a minor league deal and has been invited to Spring Training.

“He needs to retire already” – Fans react as Padres sign 2x World Series winner Yuli Gurriel on minor league deal

Yuli Gurriel (Image via X)

The San Diego Padres have started to make some moves this offseason. After signing free agents Connor Joe, Jason Heyward, Kyle Hart, and Nick Pivetta, they have extended a minor league contract to 2-time World Series winner Yuli Gurriel.

This offseason, the Padres have missed out on some of their targets. Apart from that some of their former players, who become free agents after the 2024 season, have signed big money deal with other teams elsewhere.

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Ahead of the Spring Training games this month, the Padres have completed the signing of Gurriel on a minor league deal. He will thus have the chance to participate in the Spring Training games and could make his way up to the major league again.

As per reports from MLB.com, if Gurriel does make it to the team in MLB, he will earn $1.25 million. There will also be incentives of $1 million.

Gurriel made his way into the MLB in 2016 after being signed by the Houston Astros. He would spent 7 seasons with them and win 2 World Series rings in 2017 and 2022. Apart from that, he also won the American League batting title and Gold Glove in 2021.

After the Astros brought in Jose Abreu, they parted ways with Gurriel. The Cuban international then joined the Miami Marlins and made over 329 appearances for them.

He was traded to the Kansas City Royals in August 2024. A day after his trade, he was added to the active roster and did play in all six of their postseason games last year. In this short stint with the Royals, the infielder did not hit a home run and had 6 RBI in 18 appearances for them.

Social media reacts to Yuli Gurriel joining Padres on minor league deal

The San Diego Padres have not had the best of times in the offseason so far. On top of losing some of their big targets, there also has been a drama behind the scenes regarding the team ownership. However, in the past few days they have started making waves and have now roped in Yuli Gurriel on a minor league deal.

Yuli Gurriel
Yuli Gurriel (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Fans on X are skeptical about this deal. While some cracked jokes regarding this deal, one fan suggested that he should hung up his boots while writing, “he needs to retire already“.

Here are some reactions from X regarding this development below:

While age may not be on his side, Gurriel’s experience could see him make it into the team. Only time will now tell what holds in the future for him.