Cuban prospect Gurriel gets $22M, 7-year deal with Blue Jays

TORONTO – Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the younger brother of Houston Astros infielder Yulieski Gurriel, has agreed to a $22 million, seven-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to the Blue Jays, the 23-year-old — primarily a shortstop and centre fielder — hit .344 with 17 doubles, 10 homers and 59 games in 2015, the last of his six seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional.

Gurriel became a free agent in August. As part of the agreement, announced Saturday, he gets a $3 million signing bonus payable within 45 days of the contract’s approval by the commissioner’s office and salaries of $600,000 next season, $1 million in 2018, $1.5 million in 2019, $2.5 million in 2020, $3.5 million in 2021, $4.5 million in 2022 and $5.4 million in 2023.

He would get a $100,000 bonus if he is voted Rookie of the Year.

Yulieski Gurriel agreed to a $47.5 million, five-year contract with the Astros in July. The 32-year-old made his big league debut Aug. 21.