5 moves the Dodgers should make at the MLB trade deadline

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League pitcher David Price (14) of the Detroit Tigers throws against the National League during the fourth inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) watches his two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

It appears that Yasiel Puig has worn out his welcome with the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite conflicting reports on his current trade availability.

The root of the problem is not the bat flips, the late arrivals on game day or even the occasional altercation with teammates. More so, the issue begins with the culmination of all these things; a general feeling in the clubhouse that Puig believes himself to be above the rules, unwritten or not, that seemingly everyone else on the team does not have a problem following.

"“We’ve talked about this,” an unnamed Dodgers player told Yahoo Sports. “At this point, it would be addition by subtraction.”"

If moving Puig would be addition by subtraction, exchanging him for an elite relief pitcher in Aroldis Chapman and a viable replacement in the outfield in Jay Bruce would be striking goldmine.

Chapman has one of the most feared arms in the game, and would provide the Dodgers with a reliable option in the bullpen, something that the team needs desperately. He is a free agent in 2017, and it appears far from likely that the Cincinnati Reds will have a legitimate shot at re-signing him.

As for Bruce, he is still under contract for another year, and has a team option for 2017. The Reds, however, are out of the playoff race and therefore among the biggest sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Adding Puig would give them an extremely talented player, that at 24-years old, could become a solid piece to build around for the future.

Puig has all the tools to be a star for a long time in this league. Unfortunately, it does not appear like that will be happening with the Dodgers. He may stick around for now, but it could be wise for the organization to part ways with their problematic outfielder.

Bruce would not provide the same impact as Puig currently does, but he is still a dangerous left handed power hitter that is far from a head case. If trading Puig could land Bruce and Chapman, the Dodgers would emerge from the deal as a better team.

Next: Aquire Jordan Zimmermann from the Washington Nationals

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