Disgraced former MLB star facing 20 years in prison signs Toronto contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs (baseball club) have signed former MLB All-Star Yasiel Puig to provide some offensive firepower for the blue and white this summer at Christie Pits.

According to the Toronto Star, the team signed the 35-year-old Cuban to the largest contract in Canadian Baseball League history, which, in a month, could prove a waste of money, given the possibility that Puig may be heading to prison.

In February, the former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was found guilty in U.S. federal court of running an illegal sports betting operation and lying to federal prosecutors.

This trial is four years in the making.

It’s a case that involves MLB, an illegal gambling ring, multiple cooperating witnesses, accusations of selective prosecution against the United States Attorney’s Office, and a former big league star at the center of it all: Yasiel Puig. pic.twitter.com/ethRAoINJM — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 27, 2026

Puig is currently out on bond but could face up to 20 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26 — three days after a highly anticipated game against the Welland Jackfish in the Niagara region.

Many Torontonians reacted to the news with surprise that Puig is even allowed in Canada, given that he is a foreign national with a conviction and a pending sentencing date. However, Toronto Maple Leafs CEO Keith Stein said the team is not concerned.

"The issues have been dealt with by the justice system and more qualified parties," Stein told the Star. "We are focused on putting the best talent we can on the field that we can be proud of. We think Puig is really on the right track in his personal life."

The former MLB All-Star will be in the starting lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs opening day at Christie Pits. Photo via Canadian Baseball League.

In 2013, Puig was considered one of the best prospects in baseball, and he had a meteoric start to his MLB career with the Dodgers, being named to Baseball America's All-Rookie Team in 2013 and making the MLB All-Star team in 2014.

Things began to unravel for Puig in 2018 when he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Los Angeles Lakers game. Puig denied the accusations, calling them "false and malicious," before settling the sexual assault lawsuit in October 2021.

Two months later, The Washington Post reported that Puig had secretly settled another sexual assault lawsuit filed by two women who claimed they were victims of Puig in January 2017.

Crazy scenes in MLB as @Reds star Yasiel Puig tries to fight the entire opposition team.

WATCH: https://t.co/WVxpBiDM2i pic.twitter.com/yPyBd3XhBm — 7Sport (@7Sport) April 7, 2019

"We think he's the most exciting player in men's baseball who's not playing in the MLB right now," Stein said about Puig's potential. "He's better than a lot of guys who are in the MLB, so we can't believe our good fortune."

Puig is the second recent MLB All-Star to sign a contract with a Canadian Baseball League team. Last year, the Hamilton Cardinals signed three-time All-Star and 2019 World Series champion Fernando Rodney to bolster the team's bullpen.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the former MLB All-Star hitting home runs onto Bloor Street, he is expected to be in the starting lineup for the team's opening-day game on May 10. And good news, the tickets are free!