MLB Trade Rumors: 5 waiver deadline players who could get moved
By John Buhler
OF. Los Angeles Dodgers. Yasiel Puig. 2. player. 71.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics, it has to mean that Yasiel Puig is on the way out, right? Is Puig Mania finally coming to an end in Southern California?
Puig has been a lightning rod of media attention for the brilliant, yet unrefined manner in which he plays the game of baseball. The Cuban defector didn’t grow up playing the United States brand of regulated baseball, so it’s only natural that his flair for the dramatic has caused a stir with many in the Dodgers organization.
Though an All-Star in 2014 and runner-up to National League Rookie of the Year in 2013, Puig’s welcome has fizzled in Los Angeles. The Dodgers haven’t been to a World Series since 1988 and are looking for ways to get rid of distractions an contend for a championship in Vin Scully’s final year in the booth.
While he is still a productive player, Puig’s batting line of .260/.320/.386 isn’t exactly worth the kind of distractions he inevitably creates. Essentially in the Reddick trade, the Dodgers got the type of production in the former A’s outfielder that they have in Puig, minus the obvious media circus.
Puig probably just needs a change of scenery. All the glitz and glamor may not be the best thing for the former Cuban star. He wasn’t included on the plane ride to Denver to play the division rival Colorado Rockies on the August 1st trade deadline. There is a good chance that Puig’s stint with the Dodgers will be coming to an end here shortly.
Next: 1. Brian McCann.