SB Nation Los Angeles - Dodgers Sign Cuban Outfielder Yasiel Puig For Reported $42 Millionhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-06-29T13:40:00-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28907842012-06-29T13:40:00-07:002012-06-29T13:40:00-07:00Dodgers Sign Cuban Outfielder Yasiel Puig to 7-Year Deal
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<p>The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> have signed promising 21-year old Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig to a seven-year Major League contract, General Manager Ned Colletti announced on Friday.</p>
<p>"Scouting and signing talent in Latin America is critical and this signing shows ownership's commitment to reengage in the region and dedicate ourselves to getting stronger in this area," said Colletti through a press release. "We feel that Yasiel can be an outstanding Major League player for the organization."</p>
<p>"Yasiel is a fantastic kid with an infectious personality and we think he has the tools to be a frontline player in the Major Leagues," said Dodger Assistant General Manager. "He is very physical and athletic with raw power...he can hit it a long way. On top of that, he has a good arm and is an above average runner. We had a great team of people that worked to get this done and I'm proud of our staff."</p>
<p>Puig previously played professionally in Cuba for Cienfuegos during the 2010-11 Cuban Series, where he hit .330 with 17 homers, 19 doubles, six triples, 47 RBI with a .430 on-base percentage in just 327 at-bats. In the playoffs following that season there, Puig hit .370 in 46 at-bats. He was left off the team in 2011-12 after he made several attempts to escape Cuba, and he defected last year. He'll report to the team on Friday to complete his physical.</p>
<p>Puig is considered a five-tool player, and becomes the second big signing made by Mark Walter, Stan Kasten, and the new ownership group. They signed outfielder <span>Andre Ethier</span> to a five-year, $85 million extension earlier in June. It's the Dodgers first large foray into international signings in several years; the most recent example being their pursuit of Japanese pitcher <span>Hiroki Kuroda</span>, on whom they spent three years and $35 million to lure to the United States before the 2008 season.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 16px;"><i><b>For more Dodgers news and notes, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i> </span></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2012/6/29/3126749/dodgers-sign-cuban-outfielder-yasiel-puig-to-7-year-dealDanny Kelly2012-06-28T09:17:43-07:002012-06-28T09:17:43-07:00Dodgers Sign Cuban Outfielder Yasiel Puig For Reported $42 Million
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<p>Puig, 21, hit .330 with 17 home runs and 78 runs scored for Cienfuegos Elefantes in 2010-2011</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> haven been on the sidelines in international spending for the better part of a decade, but they have reportedly made a big splash under their new ownership group. Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig has reportedly signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Dodgers, according to multiple reports.</p>
<p>The deal will reportedly be completed by Friday with a physical, per Enrique Rojas of <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/8107121/los-angeles-dodgers-deal-yasiel-puig-sources-say">ESPN Deportes</a>.</p>
<p>Puig, 21, hit .330 with 17 home runs and 78 runs scored for Cienfuegos Elefantes in 2010-2011, and per Rojas was left off the team in 2011-2012 after several several attempts to escape Cuba. Puig defected last month.</p>
<p>Considered a five-tool player, Puig is the second big signing made by Mark Walter, Stan Kasten, and the new ownership group. They signed outfielder <span>Andre Ethier</span> to a five-year, $85 million extension earlier in June.</p>
<p>Prior to Puig, the highest amount the Dodgers paid to an international free agent was the $35 million spent, over three years, to lure Japanese pitcher <span>Hiroki Kuroda</span> before the 2008 season.</p>
<p><i><b>For more Dodgers news and notes, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2012/6/28/3123425/dodgers-sign-yasiel-puig--cuban-outfielder-42-million-contractEric Stephen