Fansided

MLB rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Yasiel Puig

By Brad Berreman

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cincinnati Reds waits in the on deck circle in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 24, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cincinnati Reds waits in the on deck circle in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 24, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images /

2. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are 8-2 over their last 10 games (going into Thursday), and 10-3 since the All-Star break, and if the playoffs started Thursday they’d be on the road for the NL Wild Card Game. They are also just a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central lead.

A personality like Puig and a traditionally buttoned-up team like the Cardinals looks like a poor fit. But Mike Shildt appears to be a far looser manager than Mike Matheny, and Puig has apparently not been a problem in the Reds’ clubhouse.

Left fielder Marcell Ozuna has been out since June 29 after suffering fractures to two fingers on his right hand, leaving a significant void in St. Louis’ lineup (20 home runs and 62 RBI this year), and he’s likely out into August now. Jose Martinez fits best as a bench bat who can occupy the corner outfield spots and first base with a glove on his hand, so Puig is an automatic upgrade defensively in right field to go with being a better offensive threat by most measures.

The Cardinals are obviously trade deadline buyers, possibly setting up to make a bold move or two to differentiate themselves in a tight race. A deal for Puig would be just that kind of big move.

Home/Cincinnati Reds