The Dodgers have placed outfielder Yasiel Puig on revocable trade waivers, reports FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). While Rosenthal expects someone to claim Puig, he points out (on Twitter) that a trade is likelier to occur in the offseason. By waiting until then to deal Puig, the Dodgers would be able to negotiate with the rest of the league, whereas their market would be limited to only the claiming team this season.
After bursting on the scene in 2013 and providing superstar-caliber production through the 2014 campaign, Puig has regressed significantly over the past two seasons. This year has been especially difficult for Puig, whom the Dodgers optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 2. Prior to his demotion, Puig batted a disappointing .260/.320/.386 while posting a league-worst 25.3 percent infield fly rate in 303 plate appearances. He has since torn through Pacific Coast League pitching, having slashed .375/.420/.641 in 69 PAs, and his major league replacement – trade deadline acquisition Josh Reddick – has hit a terrible .141/.202/.154 this month. Nevertheless, there’s no indication that the Dodgers are going to recall Puig this year.
There have long been concerns about Puig’s clubhouse presence and maturity, though FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported Thursday that his behavior since going to Oklahoma City has drawn positive reviews.
“At some point, the talent, the maturity is going to take hold,” a Dodgers official told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe last week. “Someone will benefit from it. We hope it’s us, but it’s hard to envision it right now.”
Puig is only 25, so he could indeed regain form and benefit the Dodgers or another club down the line. Given his upside and reasonable contract, a deal seems likely by the offseason if the Dodgers decide they want no part of Puig at the major league level anymore. Puig is controllable for the next three seasons, and he’s set to earn at least $14MM through 2017. He also has the right to opt into arbitration, though his poor 2016 showing could prevent him from taking that route.
LAD using this as a wake-up call for a talented youngster. I would be surprised if they trade him unless his alleged behavior issues resurface.
That’s it. They’ve tried all sorts of things to get through to him over the years, the demotion is just the latest. So it really isn’t a matter of him regaining form, it’s a matter of him gaining something he’s never had.
Marlins? Rangers? Royals? Indians? Cloud claim him
Would be shocked if ATL doesn’t, if nothing else to prevent the rest of the East.
The Braves had previously said they’d claim Puig. Things to consider:
I wonder if Kemp has a constructive sloping of view of playing with Puig (though it was a couple years ago) or if his thoughts matter at all.
Braves would move Markakis to clear way for Puig.
What to do with Malix Smith. I’ve always seen Malix Smith as a 4th OF or trade bait for another need. Inciarte is the best option at CF IMO.
Could a deal be reached and what would it cost he Braves? Would they move any current players or come up with a prospect package? The Braves would certainly seem willing to take on a bulk of he money if it meant sending lesser talent back in a deal.
Agreed to all of the above.
It would be Markakis + and it’s entirely too early to make a judgement on Mallex. He’s our Billy Hamilton and look how patient the reds were with him. + his batting numbers were getting better before he got hurt. Kemp was never the “answer” but merely a solution to a problem. I don’t think anyone believes he’s going to finish his career in Atlanta
Right, but Markakis might not be what LAD wants. Never know, they are holding the division with SF sliding a bit. Could see them liking Recker with their catcher situation. Of course prospects from there. Obviously all of the about be is hard to do in August.
Catching isn’t really an area of weakness at all. Barnes appears to be healthy. This trade isn’t happening until the offseason. Dodgers needs will revolve around their weaknesses none of which the braves could help as they wont pass through waivers.
I think the Phillies are a Good Spot for him , team rebuilding and no pressure on him to be soething that he’s not , plus good park to hit in.
Remember when MLB The Show put this idiot on the cover of their game?
And yet I believe Kershaw and Trout haven’t appeared on the cover.
Why would Trout be in the cover? Yes he is a great player, unfortunately he plays on the Angels and has zero personality…. Angels No personality = Not bring in the dollars.
How does he have no personality? Don’t know where you got that info from.
Don’t know who buys games based on who’s on the cover
If rather a player be like Mike Trout wthanith what you call no personality than say Colin Kapernic an anti America cry baby but we will save that discussion for another time. Trout is the best player in baseball and does his job without needing praises thrown his way 24/7. Puig from the start seemed to be full of himself. Maybe a change will do him good.
Don’t confuse humility with no personality. Typical mistake of the “hey, look at me” generation. Trout is like Jeter in that he has class. Or would you say Jeter has no personality as well. Would you rather that everyone be an egotistical jerk like Harper?
Literacy sucks 4 life too.
If I remember correctly, Jeter was so classy, he’d leave a gift basket for each woman after sleeping with them.
This is the most dog whistle thread in the history of this site lol. Mike trout has as much personality as a ham sandwhich. Bryce harper, puig, mccutchen, mookie betts, there’s a million guys more charismatic than trout. No need to get all bent out of shape and whine about class and how it used to be. Trout just isn’t that guy, but he’s one killer ball player.
And yet Trout is the better ball player. Attitude isn’t tied to performance.
I’m fine if people are like Harper, because there’s nothing wrong with him. Maybe you’re the problem, not him
Could not agree more, great player? Yes, but to go out and have a beer with? Hell no! Dude is a ham sandwich, I concur.
Cam you are a moron!! That was A-Rod dumbass who left gifts and more when he was done with them. How are you so ignorant
You mad cause you weren’t up there? Jealous much?
I just looked at that cover and the way he has his arms up it appears as if he is a God of Baseball. I always liked the 2k baseball games.
Maybe they will use him as part of a trade for Braun. Heard they are looking into a Braun trade.
Good thought. I’d suspect it would take more than Puig for Braun.
Maybe not. If the Dodgers took all of Braun’s contract at over $100 million remaining, the Brewers might be interested in just Puig. Braun is having a good season but he’s 32 years old. Even if their trades for young players works out, Milwaukee is still two years away from being serious contenders.
If Puig were a free agent what do people think he would he sign for and for how long?
I could see him getting 3/30. Interesting case, he’s got so much talent, but the price would most definitely be driven down by his issues.
3/30 ain’t that much these days.
I can see the Braves putting a claim on him. Don’t see the Marlins with Mattingly putting a claim on him because Mattingly had a rough time with Puig.
He would not get as far as the Marlins. Several teams lower in the NL standings (Braves included) would probably claim him first (after which the Dodgers would pull him back).
Remember how they sell a lot of video games?
White Sox???
This isn’t another wake-up call for Puig. That was already done when they sent him down. The reason for putting him on revocable waivers is to gauge interest. They’ll pull him back and deal him in the off season. Almost every team does this to see what teams might be interested. The Phillies did this a few years ago with Cole Hamels. The Cubs claimed him and the Phils pulled him back. The Cubs and Phillies didn’t even negotiate.
What a mistake that was for cubbies , payed much more for another pitcher !
Given the price paid Texas paid for hamels what ‘price’ (that the Cubs actually paid) are you comparing Cole hamels acquisition to? (Surely you are not equating a trade for a starter with chapman as a closer)
The prospects and salary the Cubs would have paid for Hamels means we do not sign lackey and we do not trade for chapman
I was thinking the same thing. This recent act by LAD is being made to gauge the interest of the rest of MLB in Yasil Puig. Monkey in a cage.
Still didnt make a baseball game for xbox… And Puig being on the game cover probably would have stopped me from buying anyway.
White Sox have had enough clown act issues to deal with. Bringing in another head case would probably not be the wisest thing for them to do, although he does have talent and youth that makes teams think hard, I’m sure.
The Cardinals need to go after him. He’s young and can replace Matt Holiday. The Cardinals have always been good at reviving careers
I agree, they already get called dirty why not add him? but in actuality, I could see them getting him, it would be a good addition
He cost more than league minimum . Cards won’t sign him.
It’s not about “signing” him at this point
They would have to trade for him (unless the Dodgers were willing to just let him go, which would just be dumb)
Puig absolutely despises the Cardinals. Not to mention he can’t hit at Busch and being a cancer in the clubhouse? Cardinals will stay far away from this one.
I think that LA lifestyle got to him. I think he’d be great for any team that plays outside of New York LA Chicago or Boston
Nope. He lives in Miami.
And commutes every day? And to think people say he isn’t dedicated….
Hilarious. Don’t quit your day job.
Your commitment to being the authority on all things Puig reached a comical level with your response. Before his demotion, Puig was based out of LA from April through October, so to say he doesn’t live in LA is ridiculous. I disagree with the premise that the LA lifestyle has negatively impacted his performance, but to say that that isn’t a possibility because “he lives in Miami” is not a valid argument.
He’s gotten in hot water three times. Twice for speeding, the other time for his bar altercation. All in Florida, where he has a home and his family live.
And yes, he now also owns a home in LA.
I don’t know where everyone is getting white sox, Marlins, teams either with winning records or in the other division the player going through waivers would have over 15 teams to pass them up to get to. He will get claimed by one of the bottom 5 teams in the NL who have dibs first on him.
So one of the Braves, Reds, Phillies, D-Backs, Padres or Brewers will claim him & if a trade isn’t worked out then the Dodgers will pull him back and just try to work out a trade in the offseason.
Yup. The likeliest scenario is a claim by the Braves if only for blocking purposes, no trade being made, and the Dodgers pulling him back off waivers. But the way these things go, good chance the claiming team won’t be revealed so we may never know.
Good call. Heck, besides ATL being first in line, on the surface of it you’d think they were the most likely team to give him a shot anyway – they need talent and are in a decent position to take some time and see if he pans out.
You’re right that we’ll most likely hear he was pulled back and that’s the end of it.
If he falls to the Phils, how about Puig for Neris and Nick Williams? Too little, too much?
I think they should leave him in L A, they deserve him
The white sox will be all in.
Hey Angels organization! How about pulling your head out of your ass and look to make a trade here.
He would be perfect with the Royals
“The L.A. lifestyle got to him.” Ummm, and what lifestyle would that be? Not everyone here lives in the fast lane.
Puig is immature and needs to be more disciplined. It doesn’t matter where he is. He needs to grow up. The Dodgers are done with him.
Dude… you know exactly what he means. Just because not everyone lives in the last lane in LA, there is absolutely a certain demographic that chases been seen at the right places and fame. So many people are trying to stand out. Good for you that you’re not like that but I’m sure you’ve seen it.
LA has a very different culture to other places in the US as written about in “American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America” or read how Jimmy Rollins talked about this in an interview (see end for link):
Jimmy Rollins – “The general area, the city [of Philadelphia] being blue-collar, it’s not conducive for a superstar. You can be good, but you’ve got to be blue-collar along the way, keep your mouth shut, just go and work. Where obviously, this is LA. It’s almost like it’s OK to be more flamboyant. You kind of appreciate that the more you’re out there. Because LA loves a star.”
foxsports.com/mlb/story/los-angeles-dodgers-philad…
Every city has its own personality but compared to where Puig grew up, every place in the States is the big city and bright lights. So that’s something more important to consider in understanding his maturity and adjustment issues than the highly overrated “LA lifestyle.” In fact the only place where Puig got caught up in the rich and famous people being stupid thing is where he lives. Miami.
Kakabrainiacs Angels … CLAIM HIM and solve the outfield puzzle once and for all!!!!
More teams should have the Guts the Dodgers did in letting a malcontent go. All that talent and he’s a major jerk. Comes in to the league thinking he’s a superstar. I’m sure someone will take a chance. I kind of dig teams that have the guts to release a guy based on their behavior. That includes the Rockies who owed Reyes 40mm, shows they are no nonsense team.
To all you guys who want their team to sign him…. Be careful what you wish for you just might get it.
Does Puig still owe money to the Mexican drug lords that assisted him in his escape to Mexico?
I think it’s due diligence to see what the interest is out there. I don’t see him getting moved unless someone presents something really lucrative in return. This isn’t a lack of talent and he’s proven that at the AAA level right now. He has major maturity issues and he needs to figure that out on a young team willing to go through growing pains. Milwaukee would be a great fit for him, Carlos Gomez has similar attitude problems and he grew up and leveled out.
Puig will never play for the Dodgers. This is really about Friedman showing he is in charge. The fact they pulled his gear out of the stadium store means that it’s personal. They don’t even want to make money off the guy selling his souvenirs. The only reason that they don’t cut him is that Friedman is afraid he might become a star for someone else. They will try to break him so that he can’t come back to show him up.
Or, he’s a piece that still has value, and it would be idiotic to let value walk out the door for nothing. They have no pressing need to cut him.
I don’t think the “personal” element is as strong as you suggest. This is a business, no GM/President is going to spend their time and energy trying to destroy a contracted players morale just for their own satisfaction.
I think LAD is desperate to rid themselves of Puig. They may say they are not, but his value is down now and will still be down this offseason. Because they throw money around like crazy ppl, they can survive the Puig mess. A small market team would be hurt much more by some one like Puig.
My guess… This offseason he is traded quickly. They will announce his availability, field offers, then accept the best one and move on. I hope Puig’s new team has a team of effective sports psychologists.
This guy has bigger problems than Carlos Gomez. Puig’s teammates in the major leagues didn’t want him on their team. Gomez was always a good team player, just did immature things on the field.
If I were in the FO, I’d let Puig waste his talent in the minor leagues for what the organization was paying him. If he’s gonna cause problems then he deserves wasting his young years in the minors. Of course, this is assuming no other club puts out a good trade offer.
There’s no evidence that Puig “caused problems.” The issue is a recurring case of brain fade.
Then you also don’t want a cancer infecting the prospects.
I see him as being a good low risk high ceiling guy for Cardinals. I’m no fan of matheny but his strong suit is dealing with troubled young guys. Carlos Martinez could’ve been in same boat as puig if not for Redbirds leadership. Cards are “clubhouse cancer” proof with waino, Yadi and others as leaders. He’ll turn it around or be shipped out. Low risk. He only dislikes cardinals cause we killed him and the Dodgers even in his top years. Same as Red Sox and Yankees players that end up switching sides.
Number one, Puig isn’t “troubled.” Number two, the Cards will not get a shot at a waiver claim on him, with so many other teams in line ahead of them.
Funny how LA’s FO hasn’t figured this out yet. They seem to do the same thing every year. He is a AAAA player. He’ll tear it up in AAA then struggle in the ML. As a Giants fan I’m happy their FO is too dim to cut ties, because his value continues to dwindle every season. Wait long enough and you’ll be trading him for a low level prospect or a Carlos Ruiz type (old vet)
Another fact-free post. Puig’s “struggles” in the majors: .288/.362/.468/.831.
I appreciate the fact based responses and your perspective on Puig. I think there is quite a bit exaggeration, masking some underlying bigotry, in the way many pile on Puig. I appreciate that he does not “play the game” the way professionals in this country have played it for over a century. I certainly hope he can mature and learn how to prepare his body and focus better on every at-bat. However, he has been a productive player for much of his time and he clearly has a special talent.. I am sure he will get another opportunity and what the Dodgers are doing with him now is best for Yasiel. I hope he learns from this–for his sake.
His showboating, especially in his first year, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Even Vin said he needed to “put some relish on it.” I get that he broke some of the unwritten rules of American ball. But this effort (by mainly uninformed fans) to create a false narrative about him as “troubled” or “struggling” or in some way a bad person is going way overboard. He plays and acts like an overgrown kid. Partly this is what makes him the exciting player he is to watch, because you never quite know what he’s going to do next. It could be breathtaking or boneheaded. The Dodgers are clearly frustrated with the latter, they surely feel with justification that he should be over that part of his play by now. He could be the next Roberto Clemente, or Raul Mondesi. It’s totally up to him.
He’ll still warrant a contract and playing time next year. I just think his career trajectory has changed. In 2013 I thought his ceiling was Beltran and his floor was Danny Tartabull. I now think his ceiling is Danny Tartabull and his basement is Chris Young. Wow, that’s a lot of Yankee players and I am a Tigers fan so you know that was not on purpose. Two years ago I thought Bryce Harper’s ceiling was Jim Edmonds and basement was Jermaine Dye. Last year had be thinking I was off on my estimation, this year not so much.