Dodgers Rumors: Yasiel Puig says several teams have made offers

Yasiel Puig failed to sign with a new team over the offseason, but the former Dodger says several are interested.

Former Dodger Yasiel Puig recently confirmed that several teams have made offers for his baseball services. The 29-year-old outfielder, who played for the Dodgers from 2013-2018, remains unsigned as transactions across baseball are frozen due to the coronavirus.

Puig was searching for his next place to play even before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered baseball. A report in early March by the Los Angeles Times indicated that one National League team had made a one-year, $10 million offer, and that the Angels might be interested.

In an interview with Jorge Ebro of el Nuevo Herald, Puig confirmed the Marlins made him an offer, aligning with the reported National League team, and indicated there are several additional teams interested in signing him.

The Cuban right fielder who burst onto the scene with the Dodgers in 2013, finishing second to fellow Cuban Jose Fernandez (RIP) in Rookie of the Year voting, saw his production decline in his third and fourth seasons with the Dodgers, before rebounding, but then being traded to Cincinnati in the Matt Kemp deal following the 2018 season.

After being dealt again several months later, this time in a blockbuster that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds, Puig struggled with his power over the final 49 games of the season in Cleveland, hitting only two home runs, while upping his average to .297 after it had been teetering around .250 in Cincinnati.

Puig said in his interview with el Nuevo Herald that he would require a higher salary from Miami since they would be expected to benefit extra from marketing his name with their proximity to Cuba.

The volatile right fielder cast doubt on anybody playing Major League baseball in 2020, let alone himself.

“We hope to play in 2021. I don’t think there will be baseball in 2020, but if there is, we will be in some team,” he said according to CBS Sports. “I have to stay positive. If the coronavirus has not made me negative, nothing will make me negative.”

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The Dodgers currently have a logjam in their outfield after acquiring Mookie Betts and having their prospective trade of Joc Pederson fall through. I wouldn’t anticipate them to seek a reunion with the Cuban star.