Report: Former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig signs with CBL Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Former Los Angeles Dodgers star outfielder Yasiel Puig is taking his talents to Toronto.
Yasiel Puig has not played in Major League Baseball since 2019, spending the years since moving between the KBO League and the Mexican League.
Now, he’s set to continue his career in Canada after signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League (CBL), according to the Toronto Star.
The Maple Leafs, who play at the historic Christie Pits, operated as a semi-professional club from 1969 through 2025.
In 2026, they transitioned into a fully professional organization by joining the CBL, making headlines with Puig’s signing.
“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.”
While admission to Maple Leafs games remains free, Stein confirmed that Puig received the largest contract in league history, though specific financial terms were not made public.
“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 are entering their first season in the newly branded CBL, formerly known as the Intercounty Baseball League with high expectations.
“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.”
Toronto did their due diligence on Puig following his checkered past
Puig’s career has included controversy, and the organization acknowledged it conducted thorough background research before signing him.
In 2021, reports indicated that MLB investigators spoke with a woman who accused Puig of a 2018 sexual assault.
It was later disclosed that Puig had settled two separate sexual assault cases from 2017.
He was never suspended by MLB, and no criminal charges were filed.
Earlier this year, Puig was found guilty in U.S. federal court of obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal officials related to an illegal gambling investigation.
Despite these issues, the Maple Leafs believe Puig has earned another opportunity and can have a positive impact beyond the field.
“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 is expected to make his debut with the Maple Leafs when they open their season at home on May 10 against the Kitchener Panthers.
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