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5 best landing spots for Yasiel Puig

By John Buhler

Oct 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig in the dugout during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig in the dugout during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yasiel Puig
Jun 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

East. Miami Marlins. 1. player. 82. . National League

Like the Seattle Mariners in the American League, the Miami Marlins are facing a decade plus postseason drought with the chance to end it this fall. The last time the Marlins qualified for the National League Postseason, they were the Florida Marlins and they topped the New York Yankees in the 2003 Fall Classic.

What the Marlins seem to have going for them more than the Mariners is that Miami just might be a top five team in the Senior Circuit, whereas Seattle may only be top eight in the Junior Circuit. That means that the Marlins should be good enough as is to get either National League Wild Card spot or maybe even challenge the Washington Nationals for its first division title in franchise history.

Miami didn’t do a ton to help themselves at the non-waiver MLB trade deadline. Andrew Cashner has had a lackluster big league career with the San Diego Padres. Miami had buyer’s remorse with right-hander Colin Rea, sending him back to San Diego.

One move that the Marlins could make is to grab Puig from the Dodgers via waivers. Perhaps a tit-for-tat swap with disgruntled outfielder Marcell Ozuna could benefit both teams? A change of scenery could conceivably help both players.

Miami is coached by Puig’s former Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Barry Bonds is the Marlins hitting coach. Mattingly knows the talent Puig possesses and like Puig was ostracized by a holier-than-thou Dodgers clubhouse. Bonds has dealt with controversy, but was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history in his prime. Both coaches will get the most of Puig should he land in Miami.

Next: 2016 MLB Trade Deadline: 5 biggest losers.

With a talented, albeit interesting cast of characters in Miami with Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez, Dee Gordon, Christian Yelich, and Adeiny Hechavarria, Puig will feel right at home playing less than 100 miles from his native Cuba.

The Marlins fan base will greatly appreciate his passion for playing the game of baseball. He can give the Marlins the push they will need to end a National League worst 12-year postseason drought. Miami is close, so they need to go all-in on making the 2016 National League postseason. They are the one team that can only benefit by adding Puig.

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