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Phillies: Should they consider signing Yasiel Puig for 2020?

By David Esser

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 17: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his double during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 17, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 17: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his double during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 17, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cleveland Indians looks out from the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Phillies 10-1. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cleveland Indians looks out from the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Phillies 10-1. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

The Phillies could go all in and add one more big bat to their lineup

A little over two months ago I wrote an article highlighting the top 5 remaining free agents still available that the Phillies could sign. In that list, veteran outfielder Yasiel Puig ranked as the best player currently on the market.

With the MLB season now set to return to spring training on July 1, the powerful right-handed slugger has still yet to be signed.

Despite how you may feel about his antics, there’s no denying Puig’s impact on an organization. Not only is he a high-profile character who sells jerseys like there’s no tomorrow, but he’s also been highly productive when it comes to the actual numbers.

Across seven seasons with the Dodgers, Reds, and Indians, Puig has slashed .277/.377/.423. He was selected to the All-Star game in 2014 and even placed second in the AL’s 2013 “Rookie of the Year” voting.

While many view “2020 Puig” currently as a considerable downgrade compared to what he was in Los Angeles, the stats tell a different story. Despite being traded midseason and missing time due to a suspension, Puig posted an OPS of .785. This ranks as his fifth-best offensive season, beating out the years of 2015 and 2016 that he spent with the Dodgers.

In 2019, Puig flashed the versatility that he can still bring to the table. He hit 24 home runs, 30 doubles, knocked in 84 RBIs, and stole 19 bases. Puig was one of just eight players in the entire MLB to put up such a wide variety of stats*, a club that includes the likes of Bryce Harper, Cody Bellinger, and even Mookie Betts.

*MLB players with at least 20 HRs, 30 2Bs, 80 RBIs, and 15 SBs in 2019*

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