Puig's agent: 'Baseball is better' with him in it

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Player agent Rachel Luba thinks it would be beneficial for the sport if a team gives her client, Yasiel Puig, an opportunity to play.

"He's just looking for an opportunity to play and to be back in the game and remind baseball what he brings to it," Luba said, according to The Athletic's Andy McCullough. "I believe baseball is better with Puig in it. And he wants to prove himself again, because it's been a bit since he's been out there."

Puig remains a free agent with Opening Day less than a month away. The 30-year-old hasn't played since 2019 but has been working out in Miami and recently shared a training video on social media.

The Cuban is also involved in a civil lawsuit dating back to October 2020. In it, a woman said Puig assaulted her at the Staples Center on Oct. 31, 2018.

Puig denies the allegations, and his attorneys believe the lawsuit has damaged their client's reputation and "threaten(s) his future professional opportunities as he is currently a Major League Baseball free agent seeking a contract with an MLB club," according to court documents obtained by The Athletic.

Before the lawsuit was filed, Puig nearly returned last season. He reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves before the deal fell apart after he tested positive for COVID-19 during his physical.

Though there has reportedly been some interest in Puig since then, he remains jobless despite a resume that includes 132 homers, down-ballot MVP votes, and an .823 career OPS (122 OPS+).

"Baseball needs Puig," Luba said. "I truly believe that. But I think this past year, Yasiel realized that he needs baseball, too. Ultimately, that's what he wants. He wants to be back in baseball."