"Only God knows if I’ll come back here or back to the big leagues" - Former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Yasiel Puig hoping for return to MLB
Yasiel Puig was an All-Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 and is now hoping to make a return to the MLB. Puig is currently playing for the KiWoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), but would love to don the Dodgers uniform again.
Puig spent six seasons with the Dodgers before joining the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians in 2019. That was the last time he played in the MLB. His inability to sign with a team in 2020 did not stem from his on-field play. With a batting average of .267 and 24 homers in 2019, he would have been an asset to almost any team.
In a conversation with TMZ, Puig said he was happy playing in the KBO, but would much prefer returning to the MLB.
Yasiel Puig eyeing MLB return after stint in Korea trib.al/P5Dmn8d https://t.co/gbWSDHXf6S
"It's better to be in Los Angeles or in MLB," he said. "Only God knows if I’ll come back here or back to the Big Leagues. Nobody knows that – only God.”
The likely reason why Puig was not signed during the 2021 offseason stems from allegations of sexual assault from 2017. These allegations are obviously troubling to MLB teams who may have had an interest in signing him. Puig reached confidential settlements with two different women who accused him of assault in 2017.
John Barr of ESPN reported why these allegations prevented Puig from signing with a team for the 2021 season.
Yasiel Puig remains without a job this spring training and one front office source told ESPN that the disturbing sexual assault allegations he faces in a federal civil lawsuit are at least part of the reason. “Nobody wants the headache,” the source said. espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…
"Yasiel Puig remains without a job this spring training and one front office source told ESPN that the disturbing sexual assault allegations he faces in a federal civil lawsuit are at least part of the reason" - John Barr
Now that time has passed, Puig is hoping to show that he has changed and can contribute to any team in the league. The only team he wants to play for, though, is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' stacked roster will make it difficult for Yasiel Puig to sign with the team
At his best, Yasiel Puig was one of the best players in the league. However, he is now past his prime and the team he wants to return to may not have space for him.
Puig is still a capable offensive player, as this monster home run from August 8 in the KBO proves.
This is what crushing a ball 461 feet at 108 mph exit velo looks like.
@YasielPuig #puigpower https://t.co/T8QhJnLQMs
"This is what crushing a ball 461 feet at 108 mph exit velo looks like" - Lisette Carnet
Yasiel Puig was a fan favorite during his time in Los Angeles. This highlight package from YouTube shows why he was so beloved.
Yasiel Puig hopes to make a triumphant return to the MLB next season, but only time will tell if his wish comes true.