The San Diego Padres needed a veteran bat after Jurickson Profar left town via free agency. The team agreed to a minor-league deal with first baseman Yuli Gurriel. However, determining if this is the right move for the Padres will not be that simple.
Gurriel is an elite first baseman
An argument for Gurriel starts with his championship pedigree. He won two World Series titles (2017 and 2022) in four appearances with the Houston Astros. Gurriel batted .261 with 8 HRs and 39 RBIs in 92 playoff games.
Gurriel offers a steady defensive presence at first base, as he was an American League Glove Glove winner in 2021.