Can Yasiel Puig and Miami Marlins come to a compromise?
The Miami Marlins have already expressed interest in signing Mel Rojas Jr earlier this offseason before the KBO MVP ended up signing to play in Japan next season, but could Miami turn their attention back to Yasiel Puig to try and work out a deal again?
Miami offered Puig a deal last offseason but Puig ended up not signing, citing demand for more money and his hesitation about playing in front of a crowd of Cuban fans who would have exceedingly high expectations of him.
But maybe, just maybe, Puig’s feelings about playing with Miami have changed, if the Marlins are still interested. There’s good reason to believe that fans will be able to return in 2021 and there’s no doubt that Puig would help sell tickets.
The Marlins have plenty of outfield options, but their interest in Rojas shows that they are looking to make an upgrade if the fit is right.
Puig last played in 2019, hitting 24 home runs with a .267/.327/.458 slash line and a 101 wRC+ with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland. He had signed with Atlanta to play in 2020, but a positive COVID-19 test derailed those plans.
Puig is now represented by Rachel Luba of Luba Sports, is eager to get back on a major league field in 2021, and has already had a few teams express interest in him, including the Orioles and Red Sox. Any deal reached would likely be an incentive-laden deal and not overly risky for a team like the Marlins.
It’s a long-shot idea, but it’s been a full year since last year’s drama with the two sides and there’s a new general manager in Miami. Odds are low a deal happens, but it’s certainly a fun transaction to think about.