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Report: Marlins met with Puig, who wants to play in Miami

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Miami Marlins might be ready to take a ride on the Wild Horse.

The team met with free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig at the winter meetings in San Diego, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

During the meeting, Puig suggested he'd like to play near his Miami home and reunite with Marlins manager Don Mattingly, Heyman added.

Mattingly managed Puig with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2013-15.

The Marlins are reportedly looking for an impact outfield bat on a relatively short-term deal after receiving subpar production from the position last season.

A total of 13 different outfielders combined to record just 1.2 WAR for Miami in 2019, according to FanGraphs, with Brian Anderson the only one to accrue more than 1.7.

If Puig signs with the Marlins, he'd presumably join Anderson and Lewis Brinson as the starting outfielders, with Harold Ramirez and Jon Berti also likely to get playing time.

The 29-year-old Puig split last season between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. In 149 games, he batted .267/.327/.458 with 24 home runs, 30 doubles, and 84 RBIs while stealing 19 bases.

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