The Canadian Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Yasiel Puig to a contract that is being reported as the largest in league history. They did this despite the former Major League Baseball star facing up to 15 years in prison.
The 35-year-old outfielder will, according to the league, be in the starting lineup for the Maple Leafs on opening day on May 10 at 2:00 p.m. at Christie Pits.
“Puig’s signing continues a growing trend of high-profile talent joining the CBL,” the Canadian Baseball League wrote in its press release announcing the signing. “This marks the second consecutive season that the League has featured a former MLB All-Star, following Fernando Rodney’s appearance with the Hamilton Cardinals last season.”
Yasiel Puig could be going to prison in May
What the press release failed to mention is the fact that two months ago, a court found Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and providing false statements to federal officials investigating an illegal sports gambling operation.
“We think he’s the most exciting player in men’s baseball who’s not playing in MLB right now,” Maple Leafs CEO Keith Stein told the Toronto Star.
He is also currently facing up to 15 years in prison. Puig, and in turn, the 107-year-old Canadian Baseball League and the Toronto Maple Leafs, will find out his fate when he is sentenced on May 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. At least the Maple Leafs have the day off on May 26, so Puig won’t have to miss a game.
In a 2022 interview with investigators, Puig denied information about his role in the gambling operation, including who he was betting with and how he managed his debts. That interview came after he admitted losing over $280,000 while wagering on sports like basketball, football, and tennis through a third party associated with the illegal gambling operation.
Also, a woman who claimed Puig had sexually assaulted her in a Staples Center restroom in 2018 was interviewed by MLB investigators in March 2021. Two additional women who claimed Puig had sexually assaulted them in 2017 reportedly reached confidential settlement agreements. No charges were ever filed.
In his defense, Stein told the Star, “We’ve had discussions with lots of 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.”