Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has been a popular subject of late for his role in an illegal gambling operation run by one-time Minor League Baseball player Wayne Joseph Nix.
After initially planning to plead guilty to one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement officials regarding bets he placed on sporting events, Puig reversed course and changed his plea to not guilty.
As Puig attempts to clear his name, he is also looking for another opportunity in the Majors. Puig was spotted at the 2022 Winter Meetings in San Diego amid a desire to sign with a team and return to the Majors, via Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
“We’re looking to see if something surfaces,” Puig said in Spanish, “but I can’t comment on anything.”
Puig made his MLB debut for the Dodgers in 2013 and went on to spend parts of six seasons with the team. He enjoyed plenty of success and at one point was considered a key member of their future.
That changed, however, when Puig was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 2018 season. He spent the first half of the following year with the organization before being traded to the Cleveland Indians.
Puig was poised to sign with the Atlanta Braves in 2020 but that was voided due to a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test.
Puig has gone on to play for the Toros del Este of the Dominican Winter League and El Aguila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. He most recently was playing for the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).
Whether another MLB team takes a chance on Puig remains to be seen. Prior to his current legal issues, the 31-year-old faced multiple sexual assault allegations that have since been settled.
Yasiel Puig’s Dodgers career
As a member of the Dodgers, Puig hit .279/.353/.478 with 129 doubles, 108 home runs and 331 RBI over 712 games. He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013 and earned an All-Star appearance the following season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
