Dodgers' Yasiel Puig defection from Cuba, the threats, and the ensuing lawsuit

[Auggie]

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has received threats from the human traffickers who orchestrated his 2012 defection from Cuba to Mexico, according to a five-month ESPN The Magazine investigation, which uncovers new details about Puig's harrowing escape from Cuba and the complexities of the illegal human trafficking rings that continue to shuttle major league prospects off the island.

The magazine's report, written by Scott Eden and to be posted online Thursday, also explores a civil lawsuit filed in a Florida federal court that accuses Puig of wrongfully accusing a man of attempting to set up a defection. The suit was reported by Los Angeles Magazine earlier this week.

SNIP

ESPN The Magazine's reporting included exclusive conversations with a childhood friend of Puig's, Yunior Despaigne, who was with Puig throughout the escape journey and whose firsthand account sheds new light on Puig's fifth -- and ultimately successful -- attempt to defect.

According to Despaigne's account, the future Dodgers right fielder was in physical danger numerous times -- diving into dark waters to evade Cuban authorities, hiking through crocodile-infested mangrove swamps and being held captive on an island near Cancun, Mexico.

FULL STORY: http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/10780718/yasiel-puig-los-angeles-dodgers-received-threats-human-traffickers-espn-magazine

"Puig had previously not talked publicly about his defection, other than to once say there would be a movie based on it someday."

[KamaAina]

1. They put a 'u' in his last name for some reason

[joeybee12]

2. Interesting story...although I wish the investigation had been done by a reputable publication...

and not by ESPN...they are easily misled, and easily want to be misled.

[jakefrep]

3. This article is Exhibit Infinity +1 of the stupidity of the Cuban embargo.

If the United States had anything remotely resembling a normal relationship with Cuba, talented athletes like Puig could come to the United States without the cloak-and-dagger stuff.