8:54pm: Puig is already generating MLB interest, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, who writes that “the Astros, Orioles and Red Sox are among the teams that have Puig on their radar.”
3:53pm: After a season out of baseball, free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig has hired Rachel Luba as his new agent, Luba announced on Twitter. That suggests Puig is looking to return to the pro ranks in 2021.
The past year has not gone according to plan for Puig, who was a fairly hyped free agent last offseason. Puig was unable to reach a deal until he finally agreed to a contract with the Braves in the middle of July, but that pact fell apart almost immediately. The soon-to-be 30-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 just a couple of days after the Braves deal, which caused the team to call off the signing. For the most part, it has been radio silence on Puig since then.
Last time he took the field, in 2019, Puig batted .267/.327/.458 (101 wRC+) with 24 home runs and 19 stolen bases over 611 plate appearances between the Reds and Indians. While his counting stats were solid, it was still a relatively disappointing year for a player who has typically been a well-above-average hitter throughout his career. Also a former Dodger, Puig has slashed .277/.348/.475 (124 wRC+) during his major league tenure. The hope for Puig is that he’ll return to that form if he does get back to the bigs in 2021. For now, he’s one of the most established and recognizable outfielders on the open market.
He’s going back to Cleveland. Just my opinion
Didn’t he get into trouble there for not running out his ground balls?
Isn’t that everywhere he’s been? He hustles like crazy but gets lazy a couple times a year. Cleveland seems like a good fit if he’s willing to play under league minimum.
makes him a perfect fit for Boston then given all the scrubs Bloom seems to be in on.
Him & at least half of all major leaguers don’t run hard.
Tito wanted no part of bringing him back this past season. Which says a lot about how he’s perceived considering Tito is as much a players manager as you’ll find anywhere.
This has Yankees all over it. Him and Aroldis can buddy around.
Why would the Yankees sign another outfielder? It’s not like they need a DH either
The Yankees aren’t signing Puig. Fred is just a sad troll who has the Yankees on his mind.
He might go back to Cleveland
(Unsettling long pause) … Sooo, you’re telling me there’s a chance. Yeah!
Apparently Terry was not a fan
Giants, Indians, Rangers, Tigers, Royals, Astros, Cardinals, Orioles, Red Sox. Lots of teams could buy low on Puig and hope that he either helps the team contend or puts up decent enough numbers to be flipped for prospects later.
The last thing the Tigers need around their young prospects is someone like Puig. Not worth the risk.
Not saying Puig is the answer! But, I hope the Tigers don’t rush Daz Cameron up. Woodrow, Robson, Stokes, Sedio should all see some action this year.
Tigers have Cabrera. If he can’t get through to Puig, who can?
Pujols. Apparently Puig was quite hurt when Albert took second on him then pantomimed his lolly gagging in the outfield a few years ago.
I do think he’s matured in general over the last few years.
Of course he hasn’t. The raw talent was always there but it never really materialized because Puig is immature and always wanted to be in the spotlight. That lead him to make some dazzling plays but also led, to more often than not, some bonehead mistakes that cost the team. The Dodgers tried hard to rid themselves of him and did so the first chance they got Half the plays that Mookie made playing smart baseball, So glad he is gone. .
Last thing the Tigers needed was a cheating manager. At least Puig would make them worth watching.
Uhhh, Have you watched the last 4 seasons? I’ll take my chances with Hinch.
Let’s stop beating the trash cans about the manager. I am sure there was much more behind the story. Remember don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house. Nobody is perfect we all have done stupid stuff and it is really to be the perfect person (bully) while on social media. I am sure your not innocent of any wrong doings.
I do not feel Puig will be a good influence on a young team, but that is not saying he is a good player. I think the manager choice is what our team needed and he needed redemption too. It is a win win. Now we need a couple players to hit and be motivation to the younger players.
Ha, yes, the “nobody’s perfect” defense. They could’ve picked someone who wasn’t caught cheating but hey. So one guy deserves redemption but the other guy doesn’t. Got it.
Love your handle lemons……..but the last thing a young team learning how to win and play the game the right way is this guy. The manager choice is already a big risk.
@chetslemons Are you talking about Jeff Luhnow?
AJ Hinch is the Tigers manager. FWIW he didn’t approve of the Astros’ cheating .
D’oh! never mind.. I got it.
Oh so now because he’s managing YOUR team its different. Okay lol.
Love the choice of words “caught cheating.” Like how you threw in caught since you are fully aware the Astros and Red Sox weren’t the only teams…
So if a member of the 17-19 astros joins your team, you’re going to be ticked off forever? Or, put them through a witch hunt? We’re fans.. so, yes we’re going to move on. Like you will one day. Plus this is an “all star staff”. Okay lol
Hinch was just a fall guy. He broke the camera they were using, twice. Some miracle occured And it was fixed both times.
Amen
Don’t forget about the Braves! They are the most recent team to attempt to acquire Puig and when you consider the facts that, Duvalle could benefit from a platoon, Inciarte is terrible and will hopefully get traded and the obvious fact that their best hitting outfielder from last season (Marcell Ozuna) is currently a non-QO’d free agent, Puig could make sense in a do-over attempt with Atlanta. Even if they do re-sign Ozuna or some other outfielder I could see Ozuna, Duvalle, Acuna, Pache and Puig all getting time at outfield and DH. Especially if they can dump Inciarte. My preference is to re-sign Ozuna and have a 3-way platoon of Duvalle, Pache and Puig with Acuna playing center if Pache is out.
Are we sure there’s going to be DH spot for the Braves in 2021?
After Cardinals just let a gold glove second baseman walk for nothing I don’t see them flipping Puig for prospects, but maybe other teams will?
Cards need to trade Bader or oneill or both asap. Puig would be an upgrade. Once fowlers gone there will be holes to fill.rather puig in right than fowler
Sox would fit for him then as they will be out of the race by the deadline AGAIN
I think Puig has an Asian league written all over him.
Lol no dude
if that was the case he would have done that last year
You mean last season when he could not find a job in MLB?
You mean when he did find a job but the contract was voided b/c he had COVID?
Yeah and then he could not find a job.
It’s not like every player who tested positive had their contract voided and could not find a job throughout the season. There is a reason it took forever for anyone to even show interest in Puig and the Braves were so quick to just cut ties with him and he still has not been able to find a job in MLB.
No he wouldn’t.
Nobody wants his drama.
I believe we will find out that some teams do.
Nobody should want his drama either
If Antonio Brown can keep getting signed, anything is possible
Headline should read: Major League teams looking to remain Puig free in 2021.
love this!
yeah i mean why wouldnt he?
Major league offers best money. And it requires best behavior, on and off the field. It’s a high class that every fans can look up to. If not up to this standard, you’ll probably disappear like Puig.
Arozarena has a great talent. it’s very sorry not to see him on field due to his off field acts.
What problems did he have off the field? I know he has caused fights and arguments ON the field but I don’t see him as a guy that gets in legal trouble outside the ballpark or anything. I could be wrong. Am I missing something?
Arozarena just got arrested in Mexico. It’s in another article.
he just had a domestic violence bit in Mexico
I will say this for Puig, I’ve seen him sign for kid after kid at Spring Training. He’ll walk up to a group and just sign away whereas lots of guys with reputations for being class just walk by.
Its not everything, but its not nothing.
BS you must not have watched Puig much. Yes he was a young guy who was rushed into the big leagues who was not ready for the big show. He changed over time from what we were able to see as fans. He is a solid player if you have a strong core of players who could speak spanish. He would do well in possibly a Toronto or a big city that can draw lots of fans. Texas might be good since the manager was with the Dodgers previously, but he needs the bright lights as he loves the adoration of fans who come to the ballpark.
he’ll definitely find a team considering he would’ve been a brave had he not tested positive before that contract was official
That was buyers remorse allowing them a chance to wiggle out of it. No other team wanted him. If it was only COVID-19 holding him back teams would’ve been lined up as soon as he recovered.
Yasiel, this is your one shot left to then cash in on a big contract. Don’t eff it up. – Dad
Houston makes a lot of sense.
Completely agree. The club has a strong Cuban presence. I would think Altuve and Gurriel would keep him focused on baseball.
Yeah, everybody hates the Astros and everybody hates Puig. Good fit, the only guy they can sign who won’t notice the difference.
Possibly the Nats.
Braves hugely dodged a bullet when this guy came down with the Rona.
Thank you covid 19!
Viruses need love too!
I’m not clear on this…is Puig a virus or a cancer?
What if he’s both? Or neither?! Something yet to be discovered……..
Are any side effects from Covid being a better teammate? Because that may help him.
Mantle once said he wanted his headstone to read, “A Great Teammate” I believe. Puig asked, “Can mine read ‘The I in Team’”…
you guys really need to get off the Puig hate
He wants to play in the majors again?
He’ll get a couple million guaranteed with incentives. He’s actually the “perfect” player for these pandemic times as teams look for low cost with upside.
Plus he’s already had it so it’s very unlikely he gets it again. Hopefully it won’t be an issue next year because we have the vaccine.
You do realize many will refuse a vaccine?
When he’s locked-in mentally, he is a good player. Has he matured enough to sustain that through a season???? Could be a bounce-back guy, or a final bust. His choice.
Might sound odd but the Angels could use a placeholder in right while Adell and Marsh get needed AAA seasoning. Also need somebody with range to cover for Upton.
Puig has a spot here.
Hell no! There’s a reason Scott Schebler was signed for league minimum. I honestly think major league baseball is much better off without this clown. It’s beyond me why any team would want this sideshow distraction on their team and influencing their youth in the wrong way. Dodger fans are the only jokesters that embrace this guy, even though half the team dislikes him & his antics.
I’ve never seen any Dodger fan say anything other than good riddance regarding Puig.
Yeah your right the Angels should get a real bust to go along with that fake Los Angeles claim.
Dodgers fan that doesn’t know local baseball history? As shocking as water being wet.
To be fair he’s a massive step up from Manny, who they all loved.
Manny Ramirez? You’re high
See Brown, Antonio
I’m a Dodgers fan and I was never a fan of the guy. There are alot of fans that like him but most of those fans only do so because of the moments when Puig shines. Most of these fans are somewhat new and don’t understand the game. Puig highlights usually came with bad defensive positioning, missing the cut off man, running the team out of an inning, not listening to his coaches, swinging at junk pitches in the dirt, etc. He is an attention Hog and the Dodgers tried to trade him for a few years and no one would take him. Says alot about the guy.
Puig, on a one year deal, could provide good value and low risk.
That’s precisely what Cleveland thought when they traded for him in a contract year and he proceeded to show zero power with the Tribe. Teams won’t tolerate him if he’s lost his power, might be why he had minimal interest even at a severely discounted price.
I bet the Jays are interested. Seems they have been linked to every free agent so far this off season.
I’d take him in Tampa.
He actually just signed with Luba Sports Agency recently (the same agency as Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger). I expect him to be on a team to start next season.
No team that wants to win would dream of signing this guy. I used to like his fire but now he just seems like a drama queen.
He was a beast in the 2018 NLCS. Helped the Dodgers win that 7-game series.
Puig offers good value on a one year contract.
I’m not pining for the Angels to sign him, but if they did in a cheap deal, I wouldn’t be opposed either. For all his faults, Puig brings some fire to his team. Guys like Trout and Pujols could keep him in his place and Maddon’s creativity would blend well with Puig’s passionate approach to the game.
Probably has to take 1 yr pillow contract. I could def see a return to Cleveland or him going to SF.
What is to be made of the fact that Puig signed as the 2nd client ever — after Trevor Bauer — of Luba Sports?
Perhaps the team that signs Puig gets a leg up on Bauer, is that what you’re suggesting? ( Or vice-versa?)
I wasn’t necessarily suggesting that — though I like the idea of a team agreeing to sign both players to gain leverage with the agent, even if they are really only interested in Bauer.
I was more curious if Puig was unable to find a more established agency that was eager to represent him and that’s why he went with Luba Sports?
Or if Luba Sports’ stated focus on players being allowed to express themselves in ways different than the norm for baseball players was the reason he signed with them, and if that focus will help them do a better job for him?
I say send all your high octane outcasts to Houston….
If anyone can herd cats… Dusty can!
I’d take Puig, Cespedes, Snell, Bauer, and Ozuna if they’d beat the Yankees and Dodgers…
Dusty is a class act who knows his players. But I wouldn’t wish Puig on him or anyone
Here we go… “we’ve heard of him, so automatically he’s better than random blah blah..,” many teams can benefit by signing him cuz useless nonsense
st louis could use a puig infusion
If Atlanta lets Ozuna walk then never say never, the Braves wanted Puig before he was infected.
Seeing Atlanta tied up 26 million in Smyly and Morton don’t be shocked when they wont give Ozuna 75 million for 3 years.
I’ve been a Brave fan since 1959 ( no typo ) and money will be a factor.
Puig and cespedes elope in Vegas and live happily ever after
Fg-3 = whit that is not sharp is dull. As in a dim whitt.
dull witt
I bet some North Korean team would take him for some edgy kimchee and a couple o black market k-pop vids.
North Korea eh? What’s the league there called again?
The Kim-Ball League-duh.
The score under penalty of death must always remain Un to Un.
I can’t guess what “edgy” kimchee would be — maybe it sat out for days and is dry in places? But I know I won’t get the answer from someone who doesn’t know South Korea from North Korea.
Sure you will. Here it is.
Idiot
You are the moron who doesn’t know North Korea from South Korea. You exposed your ignorance to everyone. Now waddle in your dirty diaper, baby.
Meanwhile, you just claimed that the definition of “edgy kimchee” is “idiot.” LMFAO! Could you be more stupid? Ha, don’t answer that! You won’t look any less smart.
Detroit will sign him and he will be a club house leader !
Trust me, if you like your team, stay clear of this guy.
Puig is an amazing and talented outfielder with a cannon for a arm, but he’s immature, self involved and a negative distraction!
More trouble than worth
He is done , no team wants him
Get someone to help you read the title let alone the article.
“Puig Looking to Return to Majors in 2021”? Get someone to help explain what that means as far as teams wanting him. And as far as the few teams rumored, merely rumors of teams kicking tires (and probably on a minor league deal) means very little in reality.
Puig could be the best bargain of this class (assuming on-field activity only), more so than even Marcus Semien
I think he would be a great addition to the Nationals. They have a big hole to fill in the outfield. Plus, he should come relatively cheap on a one year deal and he would provide them some much needed power. Nats would be a good fit.
I think it’s pretty obvious he should be able to get another (legitimate) shot in the majors. He’s much better than a lot of guys that wind up getting significant ABs and has a decent track record. It kind of seems like for one reason or another he’s been blackballed. I know his attitude has been questioned in the past and idk maybe that’s playing a role in him not finding any opportunities. But he’s a very talented player and certainly an offensively talented player who could help several teams if given the chance.
He’s not as good as you think he is. He not blackballed.. he’s just not good, you’re overrating him cuz you’ve heard of him.
He doesn’t stink but… he’s an average-ish replacement level player. It’s true that could help some teams. The issue with Puig is the baggage he brings. If you’re choosing between replacement level players it makes sense to take the guy without the baggage. It’s definitely not a case of him being blackballed.
Nobody wants Puig.
I think the Astros would be a good fit. He’s guaranteed playing time and most people will have harsher feelings about his team rather than him!
If the Astros can get him and JBJ, they’ll actually look pretty good in the outfield. Plus, neither will require long term commitments.
Puig would be great in Washington. They have a need fir a big bat and a opening in the out fried. Worth the risk has he’s very talented.
She’s gonna package Bauer and Puig together and send them both to the Mets
The thing with Puig is he’s not a great defender anymore but he can hit well and steal bases. He should be a solid outfielder for a while now.
This is where I emphatically disagree with many fans: Puig was unsigned last year cuz front offices see that he’s not that good. He’s not a DH. He’s not the answer to some teams COF issues, or whatever..,, he’s maybe legit for the Korean leagues… that’s it… the fact that you’ve heard of him doesn’t make him better than Joe AAA….,
Could make sense in Boston
Astros have several Cubans (Alvarez, Gurriel, Diaz) Would that help get Puig?
A guarantee of the league minimum will get you Puig, if foreign leagues don’t offer slightly more
yo she’s fine as hell
Puig is not good enough to deal with his baggage. No thanks.
He is clubhouse poison!
Puig wants to play again? Color me shocked!
Im sure he needs the money, the way the guy parties and he has like 4 kids in the last 4 years? Yeah he needs the money.
Sign Puig and trash your team! Perfect fit for the Trashro’s!
I forgot about Puig
I really question the thought process of bringing him to Boston with the media there. That just seems like such a bad idea. They’ve embraced characters (Manny) there before but you need to produce, otherwise it’s a rough go. For a guy who’s just average-ish, what’s going to happen in the middle of a 10 game losing streak or a 2-23 slump from Puig if he doesn’t run out a few grounders?
Not sure where the Orioles interest lies. If there is one strength of the O’s it is in the outfield. Santander, Hays, Mountcastle, Mancini (although he’ll likely be at 1b), Mullins, Diaz on the horizon. Even at his best Puig would not make the Orioles a playoff team and at worst he would stunt the development of at least one young player.
You are correct that Puig is a bad match for the Orioles, whether in the outfield, at first bash or at DH. The team is not ready to compete in 2021, so they would be throwing money away. And I can’t see him as a mentor to the young players.
Puig, possible low buy with some potential, he’s a decent guy and community plus, needs to reclaim power he had and should b attractive low $
Curious if Baltimore finally signs Puig. He’s been rumored to go there before.
It would be a bad fit for multiple reasons. Baltimore will not be signing Puig. But some team will sign him to an MLB contract, certainly.
White Sox please. He’d be a great fit since that team is like half Cuban. I don’t want him on my Cubs but he’s extremely entertaining so I at least want him in my city.
Puig is not a bad guy, he’s not a bad teammate…. the speculation involved in declaring him a headache is no less absurd than the notion that a guy no one wanted last year is suddenly valuable. To sum up, Puig: not a bad guy; not better than anything you’ll get from AAA for less $.
Puig is a bad guy and a bad team mate. This is an article from his Dodger days:
latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-padres-20…
The Red Sox should be a likely place for Puig in 2021 on a 1 or 2 year deal for short money.
If he’s willing to take a 1 year, $2M – $3M contract, he’s not a bad gamble for a lot of teams. He’d fit well on the Nats, Rays, Astros, Red Sox and back in Atlanta as a 4th OF/ Duvall platoon. He should take any guaranteed 1 year deal to rebuild his value and go back to free agency at the end of the season. Both Puig and his agent know that he needs to have a big year this season if he ever wants to see a multi-year deal again so he should be in great shape and on his best behavior this season. He could end up being a steal if his head is screwed on right. If not, a team can just release him and permanently end his career in the US. Worth this risk if you ask me.
Puig played well in his short stint with the Reds. Started off slow but picked it up and was very productive. Has a strong arm in the outfield. I cant comment on locker room influence but i am surprised he hasn’t received more attention than he has . A team that gives him a chance will likely be satisfied with his production
Dusty Baker, with the support of the Latin players on the Astros, could somewhat tame Puig.
Players can be tamed down, but they can’t be tamed up…. at least to show they care. The Puig dude is a dbag at times, but fun to watch from afar.
If Puig ever agrees on a team-friendly one year deal, any team not interested in him
Isn’t doing their due diligence.