SF Giants rumors: Yasiel Puig signing still in play

The SF Giants are still pursuing signing free agent OF Yasiel Puig, per reports.

The San Francisco Giants and MLB’s 29 other teams will soon be able to begin inking and trading players again. Signing Yasiel Puig is still firmly on their radar when that happens.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote on Twitter, “Giants expecting to be players for outfielder Yasiel Puig as soon as freeze is lifted according to sources close to the Giants front office.”

You might recall back in late April, Cuban baseball reporter Francis Romero said that Puig was “close” to signing a one-year deal with the Giants with an option for a second year. He didn’t have details about financials, and with transactions frozen there was nothing that could be done about it anyway.

This, well, divided fans. Some absolutely hate the idea of former Dodger Puig joining the team, viewing his attitude as selfish and his skills as drying up.

Others can squint and find a place for Puig on the team, especially with a universal designated hitter being in play in the 2020 season. The Giants were projected by FanGraphs to have the worst DH position in the majors.

The 29-year-old Puig batted .279/.353/.478 with the Dodgers, good for .831 OPS (127 OPS+). He was worth 17.6 WAR during that time.

He played for both the Reds and Indians in 2019, going .267 / .327 /.458 for .785 OPS (100 OPS+). He was worth nearly 1 win above replacement.

Outfielder Hunter Pence, who is projected to get time at DH otherwise, was projected to be worth 0.1 WAR, though it should be noted he hit for a .910 OPS with the Rangers in 2019.