Yasiel Puig issues statement on article detailing his escape from Cuba

For the last two years or so rumors have swirled about Yasiel Puig‘s escape from Cuba to then sign his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2013 season. Those stories included dangerous groups of people, debts owed to human traffickers. Such was the context when a breathtaking article was published this week in Los Angeles Magazine that lays out some of the dangerous details of his journey to the United States, which include death threats issued to him as recently as last year.

The article has some people worried about safety issues at Dodgers stadium if some of the people involved in Puig’s escape, particularly those who now have a financial interest in his career, were to show up or start hanging around. As one example, Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times wrote the following this morning:

"But they should clearly be doing something, specifically building on a boost in security that began last season. Shortly after Puig’s arrival last summer, the bodyguard quotient around the Dodgers’ dugout noticeably increased. This winter, that same security detail could be seen around Puig in public. One can only hope this season the added security remains, both on the field and in the stands, particularly when Puig is standing alone in right field.”"

Puig has never discussed his journey himself and does not seem inclined to do so, but he did issue the following statement (from the LA Times):

"I’m aware of the recent articles and new accounts. I understand that people are curious and have questions, but I will have no comment on this subject. I’m represented on this matter, and I’m only focused on being a productive teammate and helping the Dodgers win games.”"

As people continue to react, it will be interesting to see how the Dodgers handle these security issues in addition to all of the other issues that come with having Puig on their team.