As a delayed 2020 season comes into focus, these five MLB free agents – from Yasiel Puig to Ben Zobrist – are still on the market. Where should they land?
Former All-Stars and MVP candidates are still available on the MLB free agent market as we creep closer to a potential baseball season.
While the big prizes have all already landed with teams, there are still some above-replacement-level players and fan favorites out there.
As we head toward late May, some teams still have a couple of holes on their roster.
We looked at five free agents and who their perfect match could be.
Yasiel Puig, San Francisco Giants (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Yasiel Puig — Chicago White Sox
The White Sox were one of the busiest teams this offseason, and have been productive over the last two years. In this offseason alone, they brought in Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Edwin Encarnacion, Steve Cishek, and Gio Gonzalez, and they also acquired Nomar Mazara.
Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal are both on the come up for the South Siders, but with Puig still available, the Sox could prove they are serious about contending if they brought him in.
Despite not being named an All-Star since 2014, Puig has still cranked out a respectable .792 OPS in the last five seasons, all while still having a cannon for an arm.
The 22-year old Robert is the third-best prospect and could very much earn an Opening Day spot if there is a 2020 season. While service time for the likely-abbreviated season is yet to be determined, in a shorter season, it makes even more sense to give Puig a one-year deal. Assuming the season is sticking with 82 games, the Sox can bring Puig in at a bargain, and if he stinks, they plug in Robert easily.
Puig doesn’t necessarily make the White Sox World Series favorites, but at this point, why not?