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3 Dark Horse Landing Spots for Yasiel Puig in MLB Free Agency

By Sean Facey

Yasiel Puig stands out as one of the most intriguing free agent outfielders of the offseason.
Yasiel Puig stands out as one of the most intriguing free agent outfielders of the offseason. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Even as Yasiel Puig trains with sumo wrestlers, the wheels of the offseason continue to grind. One by one, the top stars of this year's crop are getting plucked off the market, leaving an increasing number of teams with a thinner batch to choose from. Puig is an interesting candidate for teams in search of outfield help and some pop in the lineup, and these three squads could be lurking behind the top candidates vying for his services, ready to swoop in at the opportune moment.

3. Kansas City Royals

The Royals declined Alex Gordon's option for 2020.
The Royals declined Alex Gordon's option for 2020. / Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Something would be better than nothing in the corner outfield for the Kansas City Royals, especially now that Alex Gordon is out of the picture. Puig put up an even 100 OPS+ in 2019, a higher mark than all but three of Kansas City's batters. They could make a run at Puig simply to help them give the fans something to cheer for as they continue their rebuild and forge a path following manager Ned Yost's retirement.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

After trading Tommy Pham, the outfield picture has become foggy for the Tampa Bay Rays.
After trading Tommy Pham, the outfield picture has become foggy for the Tampa Bay Rays. / Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Rays are attempting to retain Avisail Garcia, but since Milwaukee is making a hard push for him, they would do well to inquire about Puig and keep their bases covered. After trading Tommy Pham and acquiring Hunter Renfroe, the future of this outfield is bright but uncertain. Puig, who boasts a career .277/.348/.475 slash line and 40 career defensive runs saved, makes all of the sense in the world for the Rays. He'd be cost-efficient and at the very least would provide them with some security.

1. Boston Red Sox

Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. have both been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason.
Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. have both been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason. / Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. might both be on their way out the door as soon as this offseason, leaving the Red Sox with some massive holes to fill in the outfield grass at Fenway Park. Though Puig isn't a superstar player like Betts or an wide-ranging fielder like Bradley, he can contribute in both halves of the inning, and he'd be cheap enough to fit into their plans of cutting payroll under new front office boss Chaim Bloom. A right-handed batter who has pulled the ball 41% of the time in his career, the Red Sox might see him as a high-upside replacement for their two star outfielders if he can successfully take aim at the Green Monster out in left field.