The Dodgers have told star outfielder Yasiel Puig they will not trade him this summer, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes. Puig approached the Dodgers about his status amid whispers that he could be traded to the Reds or another team. It is, of course, difficult to say definitively that a player won’t be traded, but a source tells Heyman that the Dodgers currently have no trade talks in the works involving Puig.
The Dodgers have interest in a variety of top starting pitchers, although they’ve been unwilling to deal top prospects Corey Seager or Julio Urias to land an ace. Puig has had a disappointing (though still productive) season, batting just .259/.335/.434 in 212 plate appearances and missing six weeks due to a hamstring injury. There have also been reports that he’s had conflicts with teammates.
In spite of all that, it would be difficult for the Dodgers to get equivalent value for Puig, as FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal explained last night. Puig is 24 and is a highly dynamic player who posted 5.3 fWAR last season, and he’s under control at what should be reasonable prices through 2019. By way of explaining why trading Puig would be tough, Rosenthal reports that he heard a rumor that the Dodgers could deal Puig and prospects for Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman. Rosenthal points out that would make little sense when one considers Cueto is a rental and Chapman will be a free agent after the 2016 season. Puig has much more value than most veteran players, thanks to his talent, years of control, and cost.
Justin Case
The only way Puig’s getting traded is if some team seriously overpays to get him. In other words, probably not happening.
lt michaels
If true that most likely takes Cole Hamels out of Dadgers plans. No Puig,Seager, or Urias ? No Hamels.
Looking at Grant Holmes for a rental like David Price.( of course with possible long term $200 M deal possible if LAD/Price on the same page.)
David 29
I think Price doesn’t want to stay in LA
mattg-5
According to….
Matt Galvin
That wasn’t me and Hamels asking has gone down.
stl_cards16 2
The Dodgers are going to have a need in their rotation and have more money to spend than any team in baseball, Price is definitely not going to have a problem with LA this winter.
dacubs44
Phillies want way to much for hamels
snazzypants
Doesn’t surprise me a Cubs fan is saying that. Have you seen what the Cubs are offering?
dacubs44
Yes I did he’s also 30+ years old with an era around 4 that era will likely go down today against the cubs offense though
joshb600
How’d Hamels end up doing against the Cubs?
tac3
@snazzypants …. better yet, have you seen their offense 🙂
knockdown 2
They have to ask high. Amaro needs something to hang his hat on…
Kyle E.
I’m not convinced the Hamels will fetch a player of that quality from any team. It wouldn’t shock me, but it seems like a trade would’ve already happened if a player like Seager was offered.
Draven Moss
I think Jose De Léon could headline a Hamels trade. He is regarded as a top 25 prospect now.
knockdown 2
De Leon is reasonable, especially considering how fast he’s vaulted up prospect lists.
He will be a top ten prospect very soon.
David 29
Tehran+ for one of Seager/Urias
+as in a high upside pitcher like Sanchez.
Maybe a bat as well…
Kyle E.
And this is why you will never be a GM.. Dodgers aren’t trading Seagar or Urias. If anything they will get a stopgap pitcher like Leake and address their needs in FA.
dacubs44
This isn’t mlb the show for ps4
donniebaseball
Probably could have been possible if Tehran wasn’t having a down year… Just a year ago he looked like an #1 or 2 under a team friendly deal. No way this happens now, but remember, some prospects will bust, no matter how high they are regarded on some list.
A'sfaninUK
Jesse Chavez for Scott Van Slyke works for both teams, no?
theo2016
Van slyke isnt an everyday guy.
crambone
Scott Van Slyke for JC Chasez?
bigdawstv
6 whopping homers and 20 rbis. eat your heart out, dodgers. who’s more productive, puig or aj ellis? or kershaw at the plate? my goodness, no wonder they cant get fair value for him.
bobbleheadguru
Price and Cespedes for Puig.
donniebaseball
Tigers need pitching, and did you not read the article at all??
bobbleheadguru
As a Tigers fan, I would do it. 4 years of control in a corner OF with JD Martinez in the other corner. Worry about pitching in the offseason.
Yes I read the article.
willi
Possibly , but do the Tigers want a cancer in their clubhouse, with a weak kneed Manager like Brad Ausmus, he can barely handle all the snow cones he has on the Tigers Roster now !
bobbleheadguru
Puig is the Rasheed Wallace of the MLB. Unlimited talent. Still very useful even if a head case.
BlueSkyLA
Forget the money, the Dodgers can’t trade Puig for good baseball reasons. They need the RHB in the lineup, if for no other reason.
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
Expect the Dodgers to pass on Hamels and Cuerto and go for Jeff Samardzija, Yovani Gallardo, or similar. They currently have the best 1-2 punch in the majors with Kershaw and Grienke, and a strong #3 to fit in above Anderson and Bolsinger is all they really need. They’ll get a decent setup man as well for the 8th inning.
pcwizblue
I agree, this makes the most sense.
vaylen
They should trade for Carson Smith of the Mariners. He’s not a big name and could be had for a good bat and B+ prospects. But he is going to be the next Wade Davis. He is the 8th inning man the Dodgers need. The Mariners are sellers right now. Pull the trigger, Zaidi!
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
I’d go with Jake McGee since Friedman knows him well.
selw0nk
How about Sonny Gray for Yasiel Puig and Corey Seager?
donniebaseball
That’s tempting but I think if I’m the A’s GM I don’t do it. Gray’s just been playing too good. I think $ is a huge factor here. What’s less expensive to replace? A ss and a rf, or an ace? Unless seager comes up and hits .300, dodgers would win this deal. Not sure the Dodgers would want to do it though, when there are so many good FA pitchers on the market this offseason
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
Two young controllable position players with great upside for one starter? Oh heck no. Way too much risk.
og kushy
puig is a bum? wtf has he done, nothing to earn any kind of large contract..lol hasn’t hit over 20 hrs yet, rbi totals are super low, batting average is suspect? and is average at best in the outfield.????
donniebaseball
I get your point but you don’t have to hit 20-30 hrs to add value to a team.
og kushy
no your right but the way they go on about the guy specially in LA is ridiculous, …its just the fact that I see people add his name to fantasy trades lol like he’s something special?
imho
As far as his HR and RBI numbers this season, keep in mind he was out for a month earlier in the season on two DL stints for a torn hamstring.
willi
Anytime a organization tell you something like to get you to relax , it usally means a Kiss of Death, Good -bye !
edcl51
So in other words…They want top flight talent but offer second rate people in return ? Yeah, you keep that crap L.A. ! Just like Boston
imho
You can offer up less talent if, instead, you are in a position to absorb more bad contract money.
thecoffinnail
Just goes to show you that these so called “experts” no barely more than we do.. They get to speculating and fans take it as close to fact and before long the team has to put a fire out on a rumor that has no basis..
thebuccosjanitor
My call is the dodgers will get carrasco from the indians if they eat one of Cleveland s crappy contracts..swisher maybe..dfa him promptly..
Paolo
For what they’re willing to trade away, maybe the Dodgers should set their sights a little lower…. They should’ve sold high on Puig. He’s a head case & too big of a risk until he stars showing some respect.
tac3
Dodgers should trade Kershaw before he goose eggs in the playoffs again … and get stuck with another massive contract.
mjw32
Dodgers won’t trade Cory Seager – he’s their future SS (unless you want rent-a-SS for the next decade). Who plays the position if they give him up for a P?
If they promote Hector Olivera (30 yr old 3B-2B paid $62.5 mill) soon, who sits – Turner or Kendrick? Or do they trade one of these 3 for SP?