Former Los Angeles Dodgers star outfielder Yasiel Puig is taking his talents up North.
Puig has been out of the MLB since 2019. Since then, he has bounced back and forth between the KBO and Mexican League. However, Puig is now set to play in Canada. He signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League, the Toronto Star reported.
The Maple Leafs play their home games at the legendary Christie Pits, and from 1969–2025, they were a semi-pro team. Yet, in 2026, they joined the CBL and became a full professional team, and made a splash by signing Puig.
“We think he’s the most exciting player in men’s baseball who’s not playing in MLB right now,” Leafs CEO Keith Stein told the Star. “And we think he’s better than a lot of guys who are in MLB. So we can’t believe our good fortune.”
Although Maple Leafs games are free for fans to attend, Stein said the team gave Puig the largest contract in league history. However, the contract details were not disclosed.
“We care about Christie Pits,” Stein said. “We care about that part of Toronto, we care about offering the highest-level baseball free of charge … We’re proud of the fact that we are investing lots of money to give Torontonians the best possible baseball product and value in Toronto.”
The Maple Leafs joined the CBL, previously the Intercounty Baseball League, and are hoping to win the championship in its inaugural season.
“We’re going into this season believing now that we’re going to bring a championship to Toronto,” Stein said. “We think we have the best team, the most competitive team.”
Puig is a one-time MLB All-Star.
Toronto Did Due Diligence on Puig
Puig does have a checkered past, but the Maple Leafs said they did their due diligence on the former MLB star.
In 2021, it was reported that MLB investigators interviewed a woman who accused Puig of a 2018 sexual assault. Following that report, it was later revealed that Puig had settled two 2017 sexual assault cases. Puig was never suspended, and no charges were ever pressed against him.
Although Puig continued to play pro baseball after the incidents, earlier this year, Puig was found guilty in U.S. federal court of obstruction of justice and lying to federal officials in conjunction with an illegal gambling operation.
Despite all the history, the Maple Leafs believe Puig deserves another chance. The team also expects him to make a difference in the community.
“We carried out extensive diligence (before signing Puig),” Stein said. “We’ve had discussions with lots of different people. The … issues have been dealt with by the justice system, by other, more qualified parties. We are focused on what is the best talent that we can put on the field that’s going to represent the Toronto Maple Leafs in a way we can be proud of. We think that he is really on the right track in his personal life.
“He certainly deserves a chance to play professional baseball. And we think he’s going to be a great contributor to the team and to the community.”
Puig and the Maple Leafs open their season on May 10 at home against the Kitchener Panthers.
Puig Sent Message to Dodgers
Although Puig has been out of the MLB for several years, he’s still hoping for a comeback.
Ahead of the Dodgers playing the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, he sent a message to LA.
“I hope God gives me the chance to come back and play here,” Puig said in a recent interview, his voice filled with emotion. “The fans in Los Angeles changed my life. I’ll never forget the energy, the love, and the way they made me feel every time I stepped on the field.”
Puig spent six years with the Dodgers.
Former Dodgers All-Star Yasiel Puig Signs in Toronto