Where is Yasiel Puig Now? Is He Still Playing Baseball?
by Alaguvelan M | Updated Jun 16, 2023
Who is Yasiel Puig?
Yasiel Puig, a Cuban-born outfielder, is currently a free agent in professional baseball. He has played for notable Major League Baseball (MLB) teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians. Puig is renowned for his vibrant personality, power-hitting abilities, and consistent batting average.
Born on December 7, 1990, in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Puig began showcasing his baseball skills at a young age, rapidly ascending the ranks of Cuban baseball. In 2012, he defected from Cuba and secured a lucrative seven-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Puig made his MLB debut on June 3, 2013, quickly captivating fans in Los Angeles with his exhilarating style of play. During his rookie season, he boasted an impressive .319 batting average accompanied by 19 home runs and 42 RBIs. Puig's remarkable performance earned him a spot on the All-Star team and a second-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
Continuing to contribute significantly, Puig played a pivotal role in the Dodgers' World Series triumph in 2015. However, his relationship with the team became strained in 2016 due to incidents such as a three-game suspension for disputing balls and strikes, as well as a fine for bat-flipping after hitting a home run.
In 2019, Puig was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Although he encountered challenges in his initial season with the Reds, recording a .267 batting average with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs, his tenure with the team concluded when he was released in August 2019.
Subsequently, Puig signed with the Cleveland Indians in September 2019. In his limited time with the Indians, he displayed a .296 batting average, two home runs, and six RBIs across 21 games. However, he was released by the Indians at the conclusion of the season.
Since 2019, Puig has not participated in Major League Baseball. Although he has played in the Mexican League and the KBO League, he has been unable to replicate the level of success achieved in the Major Leagues.
At 32 years old, Puig remains a skilled player with significant potential. With his extensive MLB experience, he possesses the opportunity to excel in the league. Should he maintain a focused and disciplined approach, Puig could still make valuable contributions as a productive player in the Major Leagues.
Where is Yasiel Puig Now?
Yasiel Puig, the Cuban-born outfielder, is currently a free agent after playing for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League in 2022. In that season, he showcased his skills with a batting average of .277, an on-base percentage of .368, and a slugging percentage of .474. Puig demonstrated his power by hitting 21 home runs and driving in 73 runs over 126 games.
Puig's baseball journey began in 2012 when he defected from Cuba. Shortly after, he signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time with the Dodgers, he earned an All-Star selection in 2014 and contributed to the team's World Series victory in 2015.
In 2019, Puig was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, and the following year, he joined the Cleveland Indians. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he did not participate in the 2021 season.
Known for his flamboyant personality, Puig has gained popularity in the baseball community. He possesses a remarkable talent that has the potential to make him a star in Major League Baseball.
As of now, Puig's future in 2023 remains uncertain. While expressing his interest in returning to the Major Leagues, he has also stated that he is open to playing in Japan or another foreign league.
In addition to his baseball career, Puig is currently facing legal issues related to sports betting. In November 2022, he admitted to providing false information to federal authorities regarding bets he made with an unlicensed sports betting business. However, he later changed his plea to not guilty, seeking to clear his name. He now faces charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years if convicted. His trial is scheduled for April 25, 2023.
Is Yasiel Puig Still Playing Baseball?
Yasiel Puig, the talented baseball player known for his strong throwing arm and aggressive playing style, is not currently playing baseball in 2023. He is a free agent and has not signed with any team for this season. His most recent playing experience was in 2022 when he participated in the KBO League as a member of the Kiwoom Heroes.
Since his last Major League Baseball appearance in 2019 with the Cleveland Indians, Puig has encountered difficulties finding a team in the league. Although he had opportunities to play in the Mexican League and the KBO League, he has not been able to replicate the success he achieved in the Major Leagues.
Several factors contribute to Puig's challenges in securing a job in the Major Leagues. Off-field issues, including an arrest for driving under the influence and disorderly conduct in 2018, have made teams cautious about signing him. Additionally, he received a three-game suspension for arguing with balls and strikes.
Puig made his Major League Baseball debut in 2013 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and spent the majority of his career with them before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2018. He continued his tenure with the Reds until mid-2019 when he was traded again, this time to the Cleveland Indians. However, he became a free agent after the 2019 season and remained unsigned for the 2020 season.
In 2021, Puig attempted a comeback by signing a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Unfortunately, he was released from the Braves Triple-A team before the regular season commenced.
Subsequently, Puig joined the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League, where he played for a few months before once again becoming a free agent. Currently, there is no information available regarding Yasiel Puig's future plans in baseball. Nevertheless, his talent and abilities indicate the potential for a return to the game at some point down the road.
Why is Yasiel Puig Face New Federal Charge?
Yasiel Puig is currently facing additional federal charges related to an alleged sports gambling operation. He has been indicted on charges of making false statements and obstructing justice, which, if convicted, could result in penalties of up to 10 years of imprisonment. Previously, Puig had opted to withdraw from a plea agreement that involved similar charges, deciding instead to contest the allegations in a trial. The specific evidence held by federal authorities against Puig, as well as his defense strategy concerning the new charges, remains uncertain.
Initially, Puig had agreed to plead guilty to charges of lying to federal authorities in connection with an investigation into sports gambling. However, he later decided to withdraw from the plea agreement, choosing to challenge the charges in a trial. The recently filed charges against him pertain to allegations of providing false statements related to the sports gambling operation and engaging in actions that obstructed justice.
Puig's defense attorneys argue that the newly filed charges demonstrate an overreach by the prosecutors and assert that the evidence against him is insufficient to support the allegations. Conversely, federal authorities maintain that Puig participated in unlawful sports gambling activities and deliberately provided false information to conceal his involvement in the operation.
If Puig is convicted, the new charges carry significant consequences, including a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The exact nature of the evidence presented by federal authorities against him and Puig's defense strategy in response to the charges are still unclear. The case remains ongoing, and further developments are anticipated in the forthcoming days and weeks
Where is Yasiel Puig Now - FAQs
Yasiel Puig is currently a free agent and has not signed with any team.
Yasiel Puig last played in Major League Baseball in 2019 for the Cleveland Indians.
Yes, after leaving MLB, Yasiel Puig played in the Mexican League and the KBO League.
In his last season in MLB (2019), Yasiel Puig hit .267 with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs.
Yasiel Puig's off-field issues and lack of consistent performance may be factors contributing to teams hesitating to sign him.