Puig returns to Korea, where he previously spent the 2022 season, following a stint last year in the independent Mexican League where he batted .314 with 18 homers in 64 contests. The 33-year-old outfielder hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2019 season and at this juncture, it appears highly unlikely he’ll ever make it back to the big leagues. He was unquestionably one of the more electric players in the game last decade at his physical peak, but there’s a strong possibility his stateside career is over.

There were rumblings earlier this offseason that Puig was generating some interst from big-league teams, but no deal ever came to fruition. The 33-year-old former standout will take his talents back to the independent Mexican League next month. He hasn’t played in the majors since the 2019 campaign.

The 33-year-old slugger hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the 2019 season. He’s scheduled to stand trial in U.S. District Court on January 10 as he has been charged with making false statements in a federal investigation of an illegal sports betting operation. Puig had agreed to plead guilty, but ultimately withdraw from that agreement and plead not guilty. If convicted at trial, Puig could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, so he’ll have to clear that hurdle before thinking of a return to MLB. He has had a terrific season in winter ball though — hitting .360 with 12 homers and 32 RBI in 48 games.

Puig finished just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. The veteran is now slashing .357/.419/.536 across nine games so far and at just 32 years old, there’s a chance that some MLB team is willing to give him another chance. Of course, Puig’s on field abilities were never as much of a concern as his off field escapades, including a sports betting charge. However, Puig has been open about his mental health journey and recovery and we’ve seen people get multiple chances before.