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MLB Rumors: 5 teams Yasiel Puig could restart his career with

By Matt Whitener

Jul 20, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) hits a double against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) hits a double against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais (9, right) talks with general manager Jerry Dipoto during batting practice before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais (9, right) talks with general manager Jerry Dipoto during batting practice before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners have walked the fine line between being competitors and perpetually existing in the haze of middle of the pack for the past few years. They have made some notable additions in their effort to get over the hump, namely Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, in the last few years, but have still come up short regularly.

With general manager Jerry Dipoto headed into his second offseason at the helm of the club, and on the backend of his first season with the team, he should see the clear need for even more offensive push to be added to the team.

Puig represents a clear opportunity to not only do that, but also to add some depth to the heart of the Mariner lineup, which falls off significantly after its pair of big tag talents in Cano and Cruz. Mariner outfielders have combined to hit .251 on the season, while carrying a .331 on-base percentage. Leonys Martin leads them all with 13 home runs. While Puig has been woefully inconsistent over the past two years, he represents an immediate upgrade both in immediate results and long-term potential in comparison to their current group.

While Dipoto took it easy at the trade deadline, and has seen his club trend upwards in previous weeks in the AL Wild Card race, he proved that he had no hesitation in revamping the team’s roster last season, making over a dozen moves in his first few months on the job. Making a call down to the Dodgers to make an inquiry on their disenfranchised outfield talent would be a risk worth taking.

Next: 2. New York Yankees

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