Yesterday, the Mets announced David Wright had a successful cervical discectomy and fusion surgery.  The Mets have no idea about whether Wright can return this September or if his season is over. With that in mind, three Mets are going to have to address their third base position. 

The initial solution has been Wilmer Flores.  He has been terrific thus far hitting .320/.375/.460. The one caution with these stats is Flores has a .366 BABIP during this 16 game stretch, and he has a career .271 BABIP. He’s due for a regression. The bigger issue is he was hit with a pitch on his left hand forcing him from Thursday’s game. Fortunately, the x-rays were negative. Unfortunately, Flores was unable to swing a bat, and he’s gone for the next few games. Maybe more. 

If he is gone, the Mets have three options: (1) play musical chairs across the infield with Neil Walker and Dilson Herrera; (2) swing a trade; or (3) sign Cuban free agent third baseman Yulieski Gourriel. 

Back in Cuba, the 32 year old Gourriel is a former teammate of Yoenis Cespedes, and the two were close friends. It should come as no surprise that Cespedes has nothing but glowing things to say about Gourriel. As reported by Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, Cespedes said, “At the time I left Cuba [in 2011] that was the best ballplayer player in Cuba. He’s a five tool player.”  

Scouts agree. Baseball America ranked Gourriel as the top Cuban prospect. He’s seen as a plus defender at third with a good arm.  He has enough range to handle second, but he is really better suited to third. At the plate, he has a patient approach at the plate. He’s capable of hitting for both power and average. In sum, he’s a major league talent who calls have a big impact in the majors. 

Over Gourriel’s nine year career in the Cuban and Japenese Leagues, he has hit .335/.417/.580. To put it in perspective, Cespedes hit .319/.404/.585 in eight years in the Cuban Leagues. If the numbers translate for Gourriel as they did for Cespedes, whoever signs him is getting a terrific player. 

That team should be the Mets as they need a third baseman for the rest of the year. They need insurance for Wright’s back going forward. With the prospect of Cespedes opting out, they may need an extra carrot to entice Cespedes to once again re-sign with the Mets so he can play with his friend. 

The Mets need to sign Gourriel. 

Editor’s Note: this article first appeared on metsmerizedonline.com