MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers Tell Yasiel Puig He Will Not Be Traded
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has been one of the more interesting names rumored to be a potential trade chip. The 24-year-old is having a down year of sorts, but is still a useful player. But the Dodgers reportedly have no intentions of trading him.
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports, Puig went to the Dodgers himself and inquired about the team plans and his future. Heyman writes that the Dodgers reassured Puig would not be traded. Puig reportedly heard all the rumors and speculation surrounding him, including a potential trade to the Cincinnati Reds.
If the Dodgers did want to move Puig, they would be selling low on their outfielder. Having missed six weeks with a hamstring injury, Puig’s having the worst statistical season of his three-year career. Through 51 games, Puig is batting.259 with six HR and 22 RBI.
However, the Cuba native has still been on the receiving end of praise from high-ranking Dodgers’ personnel. As noted by Heyman, one of the Dodgers owners, Mark Walters, spoke highly of Puig to the Los Angeles Times recently.
“I wouldn’t give up on him now. Puig clearly, clearly has incredible potential and talent. I think he’s got a big heart and wants to play hard. So I think this will show up. I think he’s just going to be a great player.”
Another reason Puig was rumored as a potential trade option is because of the Dodgers reluctance to part with top prospects Corey Seager and Julio Urias. Known to be searching for an ace pitcher, Puig could end up being the focal point of a potential deal.
In fact, the Inquisitr recently wrote about a potential trade that would see the Dodgers deal Puig to the New York Mets in exchange for Jacob deGrom.
But as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes, the Dodgers had rumored discussions with the Reds about a potential trade that would have sent Puig to Cincinnati in exchange for pitchers Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman. On the surface, that trade looks beneficial for both sides. The Dodgers get the ace pitcher they’re searching for and an elite late-inning pitcher. Conversely, the Reds get a talented young player who can is controllable through 2019.
But as Rosenthal writes, the Dodgers would only trade Puig if they were to receive equal value in return. Cueto, 29, is a free agent at the end of the season, therefore, there is no guarantee the Dodgers will re-sign him. As for Chapman, the 27-year-old 2015 All-Star is a free agent after 2016.
Meanwhile, Puig’s contract is team friendly, as he signed a seven-year, $42 million deal prior to the 2012 season. With that contract, he is under team control through 2019. Not to mention that he’s shown immense potential as a dynamic player who can hit for average, power, drive in runs, play good defense and throw out runners with a cannon arm.
Those type of players on those type of deals do not just grow on trees. As demonstrated by Walter’s comments and the Dodgers vote of confidence to Puig, he will likely remain in Dodger blue unless the team is blown away by an offer they just can’t refuse.
[Image by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images]
