GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Yasiel Puig is a free agent after this season. He sees this year, his first as a Red, as a springboard to a big contract.

"That's going to help me out to have a new life in a different city," he said. "Now, I need to go over there and have fun and try to have my best season ever. Next year, a new contract. I don't know where I'm going to be. I'm going to be the best I can."

What about signing with the Reds?

"If I can sign here, you say?" Puig said. "I don't know. You been asking the GM if he wants to sign me? If he gives me the money I want, (and) I'm going to be here all the years he wants. I love Ohio. This is my color. I love red."

And there's that contract to play for.

"The last couple of years, I didn’t work hard because I still have a contract to go," Puig said. "Now, I think work harder than any year of my life."

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The Reds don't talk about such things as contract extensions. But Puig has been a match since the Reds brought him in as part of a six-player trade with the Dodgers.

“He seems really happy to be here," Reds manager David Bell said. "He’s interacted with people. He has a lot of energy, and he’s been interacting with players coaches, a lot of people. It’s been great because you don’t really know guys when they get here. You get to know them a little bit. He’s very positive. It’s been great to have him around.”

Puig has felt welcome.

"These people and all my teammates help me a lot this year," he said. "We have only like five days together, and everybody treats me like I’ve been here the last five years. I only have five days with this team and people treat me like I’m the only guy here and I have five years with this team. That’s made myself work hard and work with the team to have the best year for my career and for the team."

Puig spent his entire career with the Dodgers, but he was not happy over his playing time in the last year. He went from 570 plate appearances in 2017 to 440 last year. He sat against left-handers.

"I'm going to have more opportunity on this team – maybe I play every day," Puig said. 'I'm going to do the best I can. The last couple of years for the Dodgers, I do a lot of things for the team, and the Dodgers do a lot for me."

Puig in meeting with media Monday mentioned getting to the postseason over and over again.

"I like the playoffs," he said. "I like October. I like the World Series – lefties, righties. I'm going to do my best I'm going to do damage on pitchers there."

That's what Reds fan want to hear – no matter how long Puig's here.