Red Sox Rumors: Free-Agent Yasiel Puig doesn’t fit Boston’s needs

The Red Sox have free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig on their radar.

The Boston Red Sox will leave no stone unturned as they scan the free-agent market for upgrades to their roster but some stones are better left untouched. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Red Sox are among the teams that have free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig on their radar. The former All-Star possesses enticing talent but it’s hard to see how he fits on Boston’s roster.

Puig sat out the entire 2020 season after a positive COVID-19 test caused his one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves to fall apart. He recently announced his intentions to continue his career, signing with agent Rachel Luba of Luba Sports.

In 2019, Puig hit .267 with a .785 OPS, 24 home runs and 84 RBI in 149 games split between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. Even if he’s built up some rust with a year off, Puig’s bat is still capable of doing some damage.

It’s everything else that comes with that offensive production that should concern the Red Sox.

Let’s start with the obvious character concerns. I’m not talking about Puig flipping his bat or doing a bit of trash talking. While some may get annoyed by his antics, the emotion he brings to the game could be good for baseball.

There are times when Puig’s personality can be a detriment to his team though. His desire to showcase his strong throwing arm can backfire when hitting the cutoff man was the smart move. His aggressiveness on the base paths can border on recklessness. Puig has a temper that has gotten him ejected from games on several occasions.

He eventually wore out his welcome with the Dodgers and didn’t last long with the Reds or Indians. That has to be a factor when evaluating how he’ll fit in the clubhouse, let alone how he fits on the field.

There are also questions about how he would fit in the outfield. Puig has been a solid defensive outfielder in the past but has shown signs of slipping in recent years. After posting a career-high 14 defensive runs saved with the Dodgers in 2017, Puig produced a total of only 1 DRS over the next two seasons.

While he has some experience in center field, Puig hasn’t spent meaningful time at the position since 2014. He’s primarily a right fielder, a spot currently occupied by Alex Verdugo in Boston. Puig isn’t a viable center field replacement if Jackie Bradley Jr. leaves in free agency.

More from Red Sox Rumors

• Is Jean Segura the solution to Red Sox’ Trevor Story concerns?
• Red Sox news: Orioles eyeing former Boston arms, Dansby Swanson to Cubs, JD Martinez to Dodgers
• Did Alex Cora just drop a huge hint about Red Sox free-agent target?
• MLB insider hints Red Sox teardown may continue with two trades
• Division rival targeting Red Sox 2022 standout Michael Wacha

CBO Chaim Bloom has made it clear that his preference is to find a natural center fielder, citing the need to essentially have two center fielders at Fenway Park. Verdugo proved up to the task of handling Fenway’s challenging right field dimensions and the Red Sox have no intention of moving him from that position. They seem equally hesitant to slide Andrew Benintendi to center, a position he played from college through the minor leagues.

If there Red Sox were willing to move one of their corner outfielders over to center, why not target a superior bat such as Marcell Ozuna? He’ll be far more expensive but Boston has room in the budget if they want to make a splash. Many have speculated Ozuna could be a target but the lack of evidence that the team has legitimate interest in the free-agent outfielder supports Bloom’s comments that the priority is adding a true center fielder.

If that’s the case, Puig isn’t a fit either. He might be available on a short-term deal that could make him a bargain for a team willing to roll the dice but the Red Sox shouldn’t be that team if they don’t have a clear spot for him. He would be relegated to a fourth outfielder role, perhaps as the right-handed half of a platoon with Benintendi. He might be able to provide value in that type of role but how happy would Puig be with limited playing time? Even if he knew that’s what he was signing up for, there’s too much risk that Puig might start to act out if he spends too much time on the bench.

Bloom will kick the tires on any free-agent who could help this team. While the talent is there, Puig comes with too much downside to gamble on when he isn’t an ideal fit for what the team needs.