Former MLB all-star facing up to 15 years in prison signs with Canadian League baseball team

TL;DR

Yasiel Puig, a former MLB All-Star, has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Canadian Baseball League, marking the largest contract in league history. He faces sentencing on May 26 for obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal officials.

Key points

Yasiel Puig signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The contract is the largest in Canadian Baseball League history.
Puig faces sentencing for obstruction of justice and false statements.

Yasiel PuigToronto Maple LeafsCanadian Baseball League

Former Major League Baseball All-Star Yasiel Puig is attempting to continue his baseball career, but under circumstances unlike anything seen before. The 35-year-old outfielder has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League (CBL), a semi-pro league based in Ontario. The deal is being described as the largest contract in league history, signaling both Puig’s star power and the team’s willingness to take a major risk.

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A Career at a Crossroads

Puig’s signing comes at a time when his future remains highly uncertain. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26 after pleading guilty in February to:

Obstruction of justice
Making false statements to federal officials

The charges stem from a federal investigation into an illegal sports gambling operation in Southern California. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Puig placed hundreds of bets across multiple sports, including football, basketball, and tennis, and reportedly accumulated nearly $1 million in losses, which he did not repay.

He now faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, though legal experts suggest the actual punishment could be significantly less.

Baseball Opportunity Despite Legal Cloud

Despite the seriousness of the case, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved forward with signing Puig, betting on his ability to bring attention, talent, and credibility to the league. For a semi-pro circuit like the CBL, adding a former MLB All-Star is a seismic move. Puig, once one of baseball’s most electric and polarizing players, instantly becomes the face of the league.

The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but reports indicate it surpasses any contract previously given in the league’s history.

A Complicated Legacy

Q&A

What is Yasiel Puig's legal situation and sentencing date?

Yasiel Puig is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26 after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal officials.

What team did Yasiel Puig sign with in the Canadian Baseball League?

Yasiel Puig signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team in the Canadian Baseball League (CBL).

What does Puig's contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs signify?

Puig's contract is described as the largest in Canadian Baseball League history, highlighting his star power and the team's willingness to take a risk.