The Los Angeles Dodgers are somewhat in a holding pattern with outfielder Yasiel Puig as they await the results of Major League Baseball’s investigation into his role in fight at a Miami bar.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated on Tuesday he expects the investigation to concluded next week.
The incident was another bump in the road for Puig, who appeared in a career-low 79 games last season.
He was unable to shake free of hamstring troubles and as a result, Friedman said in November he’d like to see Puig lose weight to put himself in better position to play in 150 games per season.
Despite the down year, the Dodgers have fielded trade calls on Puig but aren’t yet intent on moving him, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
A few teams have called about Yasiel Puig, but the Dodgers’ focus now is to “try to reach him” and get the best out of him again. They apparently don’t love the idea of selling low.
Puig hit .255/.322/.436 with 11 home runs, 12 doubles, 38 RBIs, a .328 woBA, 111 wRC+ and 66 strikeouts to 26 walks in 311 plate appearances last season.
He was the subject of trade rumors prior to the July deadline and was claimed on waivers in August. The Dodgers pulled the dynamic outfielder back rather than attempt to complete a trade.
Friedman isn’t convinced trading Puig is the lone solution to solving perceived clubhouse issues, and added the Cuban native is capable of playing a key role for the Dodgers moving forward.
Puig, who will turn 25 years old on Monday, is signed to a team-friendly contract which is likely factoring into the Dodgers’ thinking. He’s under team control for the next four seasons.
