The Major League Baseball season is set to open in just a few weeks, and outfielder Yasiel Puig surprisingly remains without a job. Could a return to Southern California, where he played and sometimes thrived in Los Angeles from 2013-18, be in the offing? The Angels have at least “considered” signing Puig, though “not too seriously,” Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes. The belief is that Puig turned down a one-year, $10MM contract from a National League club, Shaikin adds, but i’s unclear when the team presented Puig with that offer.
The Angels recently tried to upgrade their outfield with a different Dodger in Joc Pederson, but the trade between the two LA teams trade fell apart. It now appears they’re prepared to ride with in-house possibilities, per Shaikin, who reports they’re more inclined to spend available resources on pitching than their lineup.
As for the Angels’ current outfield setup, Brian Goodwin’s the favorite to start in right field alongside center fielder Mike Trout and left fielder Justin Upton. Goodwin, a waiver claim last March, put up respectable numbers over a full season of work during his first year with the club. He’ll continue to keep the seat warm for uber-prospect Jo Adell, who figures to make his major league debut sometime in 2020, and the Angels also have utility player David Fletcher and another talented prospect, Brandon Marsh, on hand as possibilities. Marsh, however, has been slowed by a left elbow strain.
Considering the options already on the roster, Puig and Angels don’t look like a perfect match. Elsewhere, nobody seems to be pursuing Puig with much gusto at this point, even though he could at least improve some non-contenders’ outfields and emerge as a trade chip around the July deadline. One problem for Puig is that he posted a less-than-ideal platform in 2019. Although he did rack up 24 home runs and 19 stolen bases across 611 plate appearances, Puig batted a so-so .267/.327/.458 – good for a 101 wRC+ that comes up well shy of his lifetime mark (124).
whyhayzee
Nothing.
MoRivera 1999
Why don’t you start your own baseball site and see that nobody comes. Or you could just stop reading and responding “nothing” to this one.
bravesninersnation
Lmfao
60102 guy
Welcome to the St. Paul Saints!
seanmc1983
I’m confused, Peterson is an ex Dodger?
swinging wood
Maybe he technically was while he was in limbo? Dunno.
Sadler
No, it’s a mistake in the article.
costergaard2
Agree. He’s still on the team
paddyo furnichuh
Pederson is still a Dodger. Being easily confused would make daily life quite challenging.
BobSacamano
DET could’ve easily obtained Jonathan Villar, Nomar Mazara, and Puig this year. Ehh
ASapsFables
If the Tigers were seriously interested in trading for Nomar Mazara earlier this offseason, Yasiel Puig might be the White Sox RF as we post.
BobSacamano
True. I just don’t understand this team.
Geno55
Thank you for your comment Bob
I guess
It’s obvious you’re not an angel fan
BobSacamano
Umm ok, you’re welcome. Yes, I’m a Tigers fan.
thatsdoctorsmartasstoyou
Wot
ponytail01
That will never happen.
amk3510
Tigers should not be subtracting a Steele Walker type to bring in Mazara
ASapsFables
Nomar Mazara is still just 24 years old as we post and has two more years of relatively cheap arbitration eligible control. He could have been a worthwhile acquisition for a Tiger team that lacks offense. At worse, Detroit could have flipped him before they become relevant in the AL Central. At best, Mazara could have fulfilled his lofty ceiling and become the face of the Tigers batting order down the road.
Steele Walker wasn’t yet a top-100 MLB prospect as a White Sox who also have some decent young depth in their outfield as an organization. That said, Walker needed to become a Texas Ranger! lol
Billy Mumphreys Downfall
L. You couldn’t come up with your own joke you had to play off mine. Try again
66TheNumberOfTheBest
No spelling and only one punctuation error while typing with your nose is pretty impressive.
tigerdoc616
Tigers are not in the position to trade talent for someone who has only 2 years of control. If you are going to do that, you have to be pretty certain you can flip him for something a lot better than you gave up. Mazara has not shown enough at this point to give you that certainty.
BobSacamano
I agree with you, but spending $16.5m on Cron, Romine, and Schoop had to of meant something. If we’re trying to be more competitive, why not? If we’re trying to tank, tank. I just don’t understand the direction of this team.
martras
Nomar Mazara has shown plenty which is why the Rangers dumped him for a 2nd round pick with a projected ceiling of mediocre corner outfielder. Mazara is a placeholder and DFA candidate if White Sox prospects pan out.
BobSacamano
You could be right. .268/.318/.469 is somewhat appealing at the age of 24 though. 4 consecutive seasons of 19.75 HRs, let’s be honest DET could use that
jpm9q3
Do any of them pitch?
ASapsFables
The Tigers most elite organizational talent is with their pitching as they continue to rebuild.
jpm9q3
Do they have any pitchers at the MLB level?
Zatoichi
No worries it doesn’t matter who Detroit picks up they are going to be destroyed all year.
towinagain
Padres.
SanDiegoTom
Why? I don’t see the fit at all. Especially with wil and Pham taking the lions share of corner OF starts
SDHotDawg
Because Myers is not that good. And Pham has a UCL problem that could put him down at any time, plus a degenerative eye problem.
That’s why.
BigGiantHead
Second problem for Puig is that he was hated by his teammates.
jimthegoat
I didn’t know you played with him! What position you play bro?
ASapsFables
Left out?
bravesninersnation
Left out, hahahahaha
ASapsFables
If he was a Giant from SF a more fitting icon might have been Barry Bonds!
BigGiantHead
I know someone who did play with him. And besides, I know how to read.
.
Bro.
Billy Mumphreys Downfall
You don’t know anyone liar
jimthegoat
@BigGiantHead As a very wise man once said, pics or it didn’t happen.
.
.
.
BRO!
SDHotDawg
You’ve heard of Photoshop?
bravesninersnation
So who’s that mysterious person who’s played with Puig, BRO?!
swinging wood
He got the number 66 from the clubhouse manager because he acted like such a devil.
ASapsFables
He was missing a “6”.
bravesninersnation
Imagine Puig being the first MLB player to be given a 3 digit jersey? Lol, Satanists would easily purchase those jerseys! Atlanta, sign Puig and give him that 666 number!
Manfredsajoke
Braves have plenty of outfielders. No need for Puig.
bigjonliljon
I think that’s the first problem not the 2nd
WAR_OVERRATED
.. owners and fans. He doesn’t give 100% all the time, therefore is a bad influence, has bad attitude, protecting arrogance, etc. I thought would be the similar to Clemente or Bo Jackson… Not anymore. Just a one year dream. Outside of the ballpark is worst. Ask policemen or his family.
BrandonGregory74
He gave 100% as a Cincinnati Red. No question.
DockEllisDee
Agreed. And his charity work while he was here was genuine and tireless, continuing to this day. Haters can’t even articulate what they’re hung up on. Fiery personality? I’ll take that all day.
prov356
One example of his issues being more than just a “fiery personality” is when the Dodgers had to bench him because he wouldn’t show up to practice on time. His arrogance is over the top and not worth the inconsistent performance on the field.
DockEllisDee
So.. tardiness? You’re going to have to do better than that, and opinions aren’t facts
prov356
Dock – I don’t have to do better than that. That’s an example of his arrogance. He thought he was above having to be at practice with the rest of the team. His “tardiness”, which in most cases isn’t a big deal, became such an issue that the team benched him. He made it a big deal. Again, just one example of him being a difficult member of a team. It’s a fact, not my opinion:
latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-padres-20…
DockEllisDee
Ok. I respect any man who can back up his claims, and cited his sources on top of that. Cheers.
prov356
Cheers.
jdan74
I have a question.
prov356
OK, what’s your question?
ASapsFables
Manny Machado admitted to not giving “100% all the time” the summer before he hit free agency and still managed a 10 yrs/$300M contract from the Padres. You’re take on Yasiel Puig might be a more fitting description of a true ‘tool’ like Milton Bradley.
SDHotDawg
Preller also tried to give away the farm for one year of Mookie Betts.
southbeachbully
@LordAlphaClass
Exactly what am I missing? The only run-in with the law has been for speeding. As far as his family, what has he done exactly?
jtvincent
do you watch baseball
mpmks
I have never read any comments from teammates supporting this claim
Mrtwotone
Yasiel Puig KBO MVP 2020
ASapsFables
Nah…they already have a worse virus to deal with presently in South Korea.
swinging wood
Apparently some believe that “that” virus is just a big elaborate hoax. Probably flat earthers.
ASapsFables
We can only wish it was confined to “flat earthers” and not some of the most important decision makers in this great nation.
Halo11Fan
Thanks for proving the point. No one said that, the press lied and people like you believe it.
ASapsFables
LOL! More fake news?!?!
stevecohenMVP
earth is flat
ASapsFables
Not Mother Earth. She has some majestic mountains on her nice round body!
Halo11Fan
Yes, it was more fake news. Too bad you didn’t catch 60 minutes last night.
bravesninersnation
Lmfao at AaronSapoznik, you’re my new friend dude
earmbrister
Please elaborate Halo.
Halo11Fan
Just google 60 minutes. Bloomberg made the same claim and 60 minutes shot him down.
The President was talking about the Democrats trying to pin the spread of the virus on him. He called that a hoax. Agree with that or not, but that’s not the point.
The fact that people believe he said the virus was a hoax just shows how bad our press really is.
earmbrister
Bloomberg said that the President said that the virus was a hoax. The 60 minutes reporter corrected him to say that he said that the Democrats making so much of the virus was a hoax. So our press actually performed like it should have, 60 Minutes corrected someone twisting the truth. The Washington Post has a lie counter that is over 12,000 lies since the start of his presidency. Yeah, he wants you to not trust the press so he can lie at will. The press isn’t the problem, the inability of the President to be honest on nearly any subject is the problem, which is why he has no credibility.
However, I don’t know why we’re having this conversation on a sports blog.
SDHotDawg
Because of ignorant, gullible fools like you. That’s why. 60 Minutes only corrected it after dozens of outlets and even Democrat/Socialist presidential candidates had perpetuated the lie. The Washington Post (“Happy Impeachment Day”) is your unbiased source? Please refer to my first sentence.
bitteroldman
Or it shows the power of “The Big Lie”. Repeat something over and over (Fake News for example) and eventually enough people will buy into it.
SDHotDawg
Except that “fake news” can be easily debunked with facts.
earmbrister
Lmao. You cry about lies, yet you put up with a leader who lies about everything, and whose administration peddles “alternative” facts. I’ll take the Washington Post or NYT everyday over Fox “News” and the right wing lunatics. Rush “reported” that the Corona virus is no worse than the common cold AND also reported that the Corona virus was a genetically engineered disease made by the Chinese military. I watch multiple news sources including Faux News and form my own educated opinions. You should try it for a change.
Tim_Buck-Two
Earth is flat, tell that to the Houston Astro*s as Altuve is getting a stolen sign transmitted to his chest from a signal outputted by a satellite in outer space.
earmbrister
SCIENCE! What a bunch of dirtbags the Astros are. I feel bad for their fans.
SDHotDawg
Where did you come up with that garbage? I’m saddened and surprised that there are people who buy into it, but propaganda works. It’s the tool of totaltarians, used to manipulate their useful idiots.
Ohtani-san
Save the political and flat earth bullsh*t for your Reddit and 4chan threads, ya goon.
Russianblue35
Miss Puiggy
EasternLeagueVeteran
Hahahaha
Badacidtrip69
hahahahahahahahahahaha
bravesninersnation
HAHAHAHAHAHA
sadosfan
Would be a smart move for the Os
southbound.train
…agree
CNichols
I don’t understand why rebuilding clubs don’t snag players like this who are still FAs late in the offseason. It seems like a lot of rebuilding clubs just don’t want to spend at all.
On a one year deal or even a one year with a team option, if the player is solid then at the deadline flip them for a prospect, if not you let them walk and you still have all the future financial payroll flexibility you have now.
That’s not even getting into the fact that if you’re an O’s fan you have nothing to cheer for now. At least with Puig there’s some entertainment value
c1234
Rejected 1/10m. What is wrong with him?
angt222
Bet on himself in this market and lost.
kdub53
As a long time halos fan…. No to puig. That pos can go elsewhere.
8
Pirates would love to have him, he would be loved greatly in the clubhouse
Cave
Except for the fact that, y’know, he fought them?
Rocket32
LAblujay That’s the joke.
8
The Pirates fight each other so that is why he would fit in perfectly.
metsie1
You do realize he would expect to be paid in actual money right? Remember this is the Pittsburgh Pirates after all.
8
Somewhat true. The Pirates only pay more than min too players who they trade better players away for.
makingliberalscrysince2016
As long as Colin Kaepernick never plays another down, all is good in sports
earmbrister
Oh yeah. Kaepernick taking a stand against social injustice is the worst thing to happen in sports. Players who are rapists or physical abusive to their families are A OK in your world. The Astros cheating their way to a championship is also ok: all is good.
stretch123
I think Yankees should pick him up if he would be willing to take a 1 year deal. Stanton, Judge and Hicks all banged up to start the year. He could be a nice burst of energy to this team in the outfield, especially since I personally don’t trust Clint Frazier.
macstruts
Yeah, it was fake news. Even 60 minutes said it was fake news yesterday. But people like you believe it.
earmbrister
Hey Mac, what did they say was fake news?
halo6219
267/327/458 24hrs 19sb unsigned says everything….its the person and not the ability that is keeping him from being signed….
Polish Hammer
And somehow turned into a punch and Judy hitter in Cleveland with a whopping two homeruns. That was not what they brought him in for.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
The Orioles should sign him but Diaz apparently looks sharp out there, well at least on the field
PiratesFan1981
I have a feeling that 1 yr $10 million was from the Pirates after the Marte trade. Puig would have signed with any other team, but maybe Pirates or Marlins. I am almost confident it was the Pirates who offered him a job since they lack OF at the moment. Puig would have given them a boost in the lineup after the departure of Marte. I don’t blame Puig for turning down the Pirates if it was them. I wouldn’t want to play there either and I have been a Pirates fan my whole life. Just the last few years I have changed how I feel about the organization.
swinging wood
Like the Pirates would spend $10M on one guy when they’re working for a high draft pick.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
Do you remember the O’Brien twins? Many moons ago, when I was just a lad, I went to a Phillies/Pirates game at old Connie Mack Stadium in Philly.
Waited by the players’ exit trying to get autographs. One Pirate after another passed me and others by without so much as a, “Hi, kid.”. Johnny O’Brien was the only one who stopped to sign my scorecard.
Didn’t make me a Pirates fan, but always remembered that kindness. Best I can recall, Johnny O’Brien didn’t have much of a career. He was a middle infielder with a weak bat.
Ketch
Bring him to Boston. Betts is gone. Verdugo is out. Pillar is no replacement….
Sadler
Free agency can be tough when you get a bad reputation with the players.
brownbomber
Puig better learn how to eat with chopsticks
SDHotDawg
If A. J. Preller was as smart as some people seem to think he is, he would go after Puig. We lack a true RF, and a power bat.
AngelDiceClay
You really want attention where on your team. Guys a certified nut case.
socalblake
SD already has an attention puta, his initials are MM.
SDHotDawg
All true. You’re just seeing desperation brought on by years of frustration.
bhambrave
I’m just glad he’s not a Brave.
Appalachian_Outlaw
I second that.
fermier
I bet he ends up going to Japan.
ammiel
St Louis needs something, after letting Ozuna walk and trading aroza.
Badacidtrip69
st. Louis is paying Dexter Fowler even though his production has greatly diminished. He’s in Right. They also have ?’s to figure out w Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas, Harrison Bader, Justin Williams, and Dylan Carlson is tearing it up in ST which will force their hand opening day roster. Not to mention reserves with Ravelo and Edman having reps in OF. This is why they didn’t resign Ozuna. I think resigning in Cleveland makes a lot of sense for Puig but they probably won’t spend what it would take.
HalosHeavenJJ
Reputations are so hard to shake. Even at 24 he signed for kids at spring training.
He seems to have matured in recent years.
Maybe the Angels were considering a trade of Goodwin and Puig was the plan for right? Just a guess.
boybravo25
Seattle would be the best match for puig. Because with Hanover out he could take his spot then after he could be a backup outfielder and dh.
SDHotDawg
I could see the Mariners making that move. It makes sense.
TickingTurtle
My Astros need to sign him because we need somebody who can fight.
Painful itch
That’s the first real statement on here.
Bluemarlin528
Of course the Angels are interested as he is not a pitcher.
jorge78
His bad attitude has come home to roost…..
dugmet
problem is simple. Puig is overvaluing his worth.
Socrates Curveball
The idea that Puig turned down $10M only is realistic if it came from the Reds who paid premiums for marginal talent all offseason. The Cincy Tax
JustCheckingIn
Puig “problem” with teammates is zack greinke. And greinke is such a good barometer of social acceptance
His real beef was Bill Plascke. He’s a great community person and has not been a problem himself for years. Bet wrong on the market at 1/10 with hindsight, but his “issues” are massively overblown in the media
of9376
Puig has been a PIA for every team he’s played for. Teams don’t want to deal with his attitude.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
I remember about five or six years ago when everyone was talking about Puig being the second coming of the next great thing. Okay, he’s not Mike Trout, and he won’t make anyone forget Hank Aaron or Willie Mays, but during his brief career he has acquitted himself well IMHO.
With McCutchen opening on the IL and two unprovens (Haseley and R. Quinn) slated for CF, Bryce Harper is our only reliable OF in Philly.
Would like to see the Phillies sign Puig. If he got the at bats, he could hit 40+ homers in our bandbox of a home park.
Finally, I’d have no worries about the unsubstantiated comments others made about him being a bad dude. With Joe Girardi managing and quality guys like McCutchen, Harper, Realmuto, Didi and Hoskins in the clubhouse, that clubhouse culture is already well established. If all it takes is one year and $10M, well, welcome to the City of Brotherly Love.
85Phanatic
God forbid, but unless Cutch has a major setback the Phils will stick with in house options. They want payroll flexibility for the deadline when they have a solid idea of how competitive this team is.
I do agree though that this clubhouse has the quality guy that could defuse Puig, but our fan base isn’t level headed enough to deal with him.
morkisthatu
Look up knucklehead in any dictionary.. you’ll see his picture…
Painful itch
Love him or hate him, the dude is a good player who has star power and there are enough teams tanking with bland OFers that he could play over. Pittsburgh being one of them. When your Manager has more star power than all your players, time to stay home
$crewBaLL
go get him sterns, flip him at the trade deadline.
tigerdoc616
Puig is immensely talented, but has not lived up to his potential. He is also a head case. He’ll eventually get a contract and a place to play. But there are plenty of reasons he is still on the market. He is not in a position where he should be turning down a $10M deal.
toastyroasty
I’ll bet it wasn’t either the Cards or the Braves that made the One year offer to him. They both know better than to invite poison into their clubhouse
whirlybird
I thought the Marlins were interested? Maybe that’s the team he turned down.
derail76
The Giants will sign him. But not the Giants from San Francisco. It will be the Yomiyuri Giants.
Rsox
The one thing we don’t see behind the scenes is how many people that worked for the Dodgers organization over the time Puig was in LA now work for other teams. Scouts, trainers, coaches, etc… .there is a reason Puig is sitting at home watching spring training on tv instead of playing.
Maybe he was a model citizen and teammate in Cincinnati but that was obviously not enough to convince the rest of MLB to role the dice on him.
Turning down 10 mil for 1 season was a calculated risk that seems to have backfired though I do believe at some point Puig will be signed, might have to take a minor league contract and wait for an opportunity at AAA but someone will sign him.
Merkle's Boner
Clubhouse poison…
southbound.train
Aside from Puig’s slightly overrated criticism, I’m surprised teams like the Orioles and Tigers are not interested and rather settle with what the OFs they have… regardless of his overall value, he would still put up better numbers and prob more ticket/jersey sales than both teams’ current OFs
Rsox
I don’t honestly think Puig would hit in Comerica Park, which could stifle trade value for the Tigers later. I do think he could Rake at Camden Yards though.
However, both teams are rebuilding and while the Tigers have added a few tradable pieces for later in the season the Orioles haven’t added much of anything outside of Jose Iglesias as far as tradable assets go. Al Avila has even said the team doesn’t have much interest in Puig, of course the Tigers could be the team he rejected…
dcahen
You guys are all missing the obvious. He needs more than $10 million; it takes quite a few Benjamins to pay for his hair styling. Just sayin’!
hoosierhysteria
He should go back to Cuba
dematteo1982
I think the team that would improve their overall chances at making noise this year by signing Puig is Texas. Houston has their drama….that division could be had. Oakland would be my choice right now if the Astros falter, but watch out for Texas. Of Kluber is Kluber, Lynn and Minor repeat last year…thats a very food top 3. Gibson was a shrewd pickup imo…and lyles as a #5 isnt too bad. The bullpen isnt terrible. Offensively..with the addition of Puig…would make the Rangers a pretty good team top to bottom…certainly one that could contend in the AL West.
themaven
Puig played in Cleveland for two + months and was supposed to be on his best behavior since he was playing for a free agent contract.
First he gets suspended the night he gets traded for..
Then he doesn’t run out a ground ball.
Subsequently. he starts up with antics while running the bases(like waving his finger at the right fielder while going from first to third on a single to right) and starts over-throwing the cut off man at least once every other game.
All this while he hits two home runs in those two months,while slapping a lot of singles to right and right center.
The Indians chose to sign Domingo Santana(who will primarily DH) over Puig and it wasn’t about money.
Puig,like Trevor Bauer, isn’t as good as people think he is.The squeaky wheel gets media attention,but it doesn’t help you win games.