Yasiel Puig’s unpredictable 2016 season took another turn Friday when he was among the five players the Los Angeles Dodgers added to their roster prior to Friday’s game. Puig’s return comes one month after he was demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The decision to send the 25-year-old outfielder down the Minors came after the Dodgers were unsuccessful in their attempts to trade Puig prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline. Puig fared well while in Oklahoma City — both on the field and in the clubhouse — and earned rave reviews from Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts.
However, the general sentiment held Puig was on borrowed time with the organization. He was placed on revocable waivers late last month.
As one could have predicted, he was claimed, reportedly by multiple clubs. Given the constraints that come with trading a player claimed on waivers, the Dodgers weren’t expected to move forward with dealing Puig.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Milwaukee Brewers won the claim on Puig and attempted to complete a trade with the Dodgers, while including Ryan Braun in talks:
Sources: #Brewers were team that won claim on #Dodgers' Puig. Teams made legitimate attempt to complete deal. Braun was part of talks.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 2, 2016
The Dodgers reportedly expressed interest in Braun prior to the the non-waiver trade deadline. He too cleared waivers last month.
While Braun and Puig weren’t traded in time to be eligible for postseason play with their new club, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise of one, or both, are moved during the offseason.
That may prove more difficult for the Brewers than Dodgers, as Braun is owed $76 million over the next four years. Puig said Friday his focus is on playing well for the Dodgers, not his perceived shaky future with the organization.
