Yulieski Gourriel

Cuban star Yulieski Gourriel.

((Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images))

DENVER -- It's unlikely the Yankees will emerge as top bidders for the services of Cuban star Yulieski Gourriel now that Major League Baseball has declared the 32-year-old infielder a free agent, a source with knowledge of the team's thinking told NJ Advance Media.

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez first reported Gourriel's free agent status Monday.



The hangup? Money, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely.



Gourriel's middle-of-the-order ready bat would be a welcomed addition to the Yankees' offense, which has severely underperformed and was ranked No. 24 in the league in runs scored on Monday night.

Over 15 seasons, Gourriel owns some sterling numbers, including a .335 batting average, a .417 on-base percentage and 308 doubles to go with 250 homers.

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But the team, as currently constructed, doesn't appear to have a ton of wiggle room financially or within its roster for Gourriel, who escaped Cuba with his younger brother, Lourdes Gourriel Jr., 22, in February, and has professed his affection for the Yankees. The elder Gourriel is also friends with Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and has said designated hitter Alex Rodriguez is his favorite player.



While it's unclear exactly how much money Gourriel may demand, when asked if the reported contract details of Cuban defectors Hector Olivera and Jose Abreu would be good starting points, the source agreed.



At age 30, Olivera received a six-year, $62.5-million deal from the Dodgers in March 2015. Abreu was 26 when he signed his six-year, $68-million deal from the White Sox in October 2013. Gouriell will be older than each player when he signs, but has a longer track record than each.



Also, according to Baseball Reference, Gouriell has played 648 career games at third bases and 71 at second base between Cuba and Japan.



At third base, the Yankees are locked in on Chase Headley, also 32 years old, for the rest of this season and for $26 million over the next two years.



The team also made a strong sign it believes in Starlin Castro when it traded valued swingman Adam Warren to the Cubs for the 26-year-old second baseman, whom it owes $30 million from 2017 through 2019 with a $16 million club option for 2020.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.