Yulieski Gourriel, a 32-year-old infielder who defected from Cuba in February and was declared a free agent in June, has signed a five-year, $47.5 million deal with the Houston Astros.
In 15 Serie Nacional seasons, Gourriel hit .337 with 239 home runs and 118 stolen bases, playing mostly at third base. With permission from Cuba, Gourriel spent the 2014 season with the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japanese Central League before returning to Cuba in 2015. But Gourriel departed his home country for good in Feburary when he left the Cuban national team hotel in the Dominican Republic after playing in the Caribbean Series, according to Sports Illustrated.