Say what you will about Yasiel Puig, there have hardly been dull moments when he’s patrolled right field for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Puig now mans the corner outfield spot for Triple-A Oklahoma City as he was unceremoniously demoted after the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.
The Dodgers’ decision to option Puig was the end result of the club failing to trade the enigmatic outfielder prior to the deadline. Los Angeles has since placed Puig on revocable waivers, and he reportedly was claimed Tuesday.
Puig wasn’t surprised by being put on waivers, citing the practice of clubs using the waiver wire even for players they do not intend on moving.
To a man, the Dodgers have spoke in a positive light of Puig’s demeanor since he was sent to Oklahoma City. However, the organization has also remained steadfast in refusing to commit to Puig as a potential September call-up.
Though, he reportedly will join the club this weekend. As for the idea the Dodgers want their mercurial outfielder to taper back his flair for the dramatic, Puig isn’t offended by it.
“It doesn’t hurt much,” he told ESPN’s Marly Rivera during an interview that aired on SportsCenter.
“But I love to play aggressively, like to play happily, and transfer the energy I have to my teammates, so that everyone is having fun in the clubhouse, because it’s a long season. We need to have fun, and that’s what I like and why people come to see me.”
Puig did, however, acknowledge there have been instances where he’s been misunderstood. “The balance isn’t easy, it is a bit difficult. You have to do it. Like here in Triple-A, the manager asks me to arrive early. To arrive early, go to the batting cages every day and do my routine, and he lets me play ball,” Puig said.
The 25-year-old is willing to make necessary adjustments, but also wants to be allowed to be himself. “That is all I ask, and to respect them. To arrive early because when I arrive late I am disrespecting them,” Puig said.
“And I apologize for all the times that I did that with my previous manager Mattingly and now with Dave Roberts. I will show up early for you, but let me be Yasiel Puig, or advise me how you want me to play. But don’t take away the skills that I have, because then why should I play?”
