3 Teams That Should Take a Chance on Yasiel Puig on a Minor-League Deal

Yasiel Puig has had no luck so far finding a new team for 2020. He is only 29 years old and is a career 20.0 WAR player in seven seasons, yet no organization has bitten on the outfielder in free agency. With time winding down until the regular season, Puig will be desperate to latch on with a club, and could end up accepting a minor-league deal as a means of proving his value. Well, should that be the case, there are a variety of teams that should try to get him signed right away. Here are three of the best fits.

3. Cleveland Indians

Yasiel Puig finished the 2019 season with the Cleveland Indians. / David Maxwell/Getty Images

The Cleveland Indians have about 10 guys fighting for the three starting outfield spots. Yet quantity isn't always quality. Puig would be the best among the bunch right away and he slashed .297/.377/.423 in 49 games with the Indians last season. The team cleared up money by trading Corey Kluber and there is no excuse to let Puig walk if it will only take a minor league deal to just let him compete in spring.

2. Los Angeles Angels

Yasiel Puig could form a nice outfield duo with Mike Trout. / Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Puig began his MLB career in Los Angeles with the Dodgers. Now the other team in the area could look to add him. After the Joc Pederson trade fell through, the Halos could still be looking to acquire an outfielder. The Angels are spending heavily on Justin Upton and Mike Trout, and have Jo Adell waiting in the wings, but adding Puig on a minor league deal would supply them with some more depth and injury insurance. After all, Upton was limited to just 63 games last year, and with Kole Calhoun out of town, the door is open for Puig to play a meaningful reserve role back in LA.

1. Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins could add an experienced player in Yasiel Puig. / Mark Brown/Getty Images

The Miami Marlins are just above the basement when it comes to payroll. Bringing in Puig would offer up the semblance of trying to compete in 2020. The best-case scenario for the Marlins is that he makes the team, plays well, and is offered up in a trade at midseason. There's really no risk here, barring a catastrophic locker room meltdown. Puig can get fans in the seats and play where he is needed in the outfield, all the while boasting 20+ home run power and a cannon of an arm in right field.