Ready to play, Puig drawing interest (sources)
Yasiel Puig didn’t play in 2020, but the enigmatic outfielder has plans to be back on a big league field when the '21 season gets underway.
After announcing this week that he had signed with agent Rachel Luba of Luba Sports, Puig has already started to draw interest from multiple clubs. According to sources, the Astros, Orioles and Red Sox are among the teams that have Puig on their radar, though others could also be in the mix.
Puig agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Braves in mid-July, but a positive COVID-19 test caused the deal to fall through just three days later.
Puig hasn’t played since 2019, when he slashed .267/.327/.458 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs in 149 games between the Reds and Indians.
Multiple club executives believe Puig will land a Major League contract this winter, though the belief is that it will be an incentive-laden deal.
On Tuesday, Puig announced his intentions to return in a lengthy Twitter post. He said he wants 2021 to be “a new chapter,” ending the post: “2021, Puig will be ready. I am willing to put in the work and I am going after the total win!”
Puig has also engaged with Trevor Bauer (another Luba client) on Twitter, discussing a “throw-off” contest to see which one can throw a ball farther. The two were part of the same three-team deal at the 2019 Trade Deadline in which Bauer was dealt to Cincinnati and Puig went to Cleveland.
“Tell me when and tell me where,” Puig tweeted.