The Miami Marlins could use an outfielder. Yasiel Puig is still available. This could be a perfect match.
HIALEAH,FL-Although the season was postponed due the coronavirus outbreak Yasiel Puig was still without a ball club, this was something befuddling to anyone who knows baseball. Because based on talent the native of Palmira, Cuba is a frontline outfielder for every club in the big leagues.
Many question how someone who hit .267 with 24 bombs and 84 runs batted in could still be on the market? Especially when this same individual is probably one of the best defensive right fielders in the game.
Coming off a near 20-20 season, one would come to think Puig would be employed by now. But one must look under the surface to see why the veteran is yet to be signed.
One underlying circumstance is that of lockeroom culture, something that Puig has destroyed on a few teams he has been on, according to media reports.
Also the other is that he reportedly turned a 10 million dollar one year offer from an unnamed National League team as per MLB traderumors.
Now back to the topic at hand. Puig would fit lovely in Miami, especially if he was to play on a one year show me contract. A motivated Puig would pay dividends and spice up the fish’s outfield.
Yasiel Puig Rumors: Marlins, Giants https://t.co/kJNlLOU5E7 pic.twitter.com/4K5NB5UF0G
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 13, 2020
The Miami Marlins will more than likely go into the season with Jonathan Villar, Matt Joyce, Corey Dickerson, Garrett Cooper and Lewis Brinson in their outfield. Aside from Dickerson no name really jumps out at you in that quintet.
The addition of Puig would not only add star power to a Marlins outfield, but it would also solidify that group and bring a Cuban star to a team based in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. This is something the franchise has been longing for since the untimely death of José Fernández. That is possibly the main reason why Miami grossly overspent on an offensively limited Víctor Víctor Mesa last year in international free agency.
Puig’s presence in Miami would also give Monte Harrison another year in the minors and aid in his development, but it might also motivate a disappointing Lewis Brinson to perform.
Could Puig wind up in Miami with his options dwindling as the season approaches? I think it’s possible but Miami would have to initiate the negotiations.
Will the Miami Marlins do it? Who knows, but one thing is a certain the ball is now in their court.