After hamstring injuries limited Yasiel Puig to a career-low 79 games last season, there was speculation the Los Angeles Dodgers would at last look to move on from the enigmatic outfielder. However, trading Puig at that time would have entailed selling low.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman voiced his support of Puig and regularly stated the club was better off with him on the roster. With the 25-year-old outfielder enduring another up-and-down season, it’s believed the Dodgers are now more open to trading him.
Though, despite the trade speculation, Dodgers chairman Mark Walter said he didn’t have knowledge of such being the case.
It was reported last week Los Angeles attempted to send Puig to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Jay Bruce, but to no avail. More recently, the New York Mets reportedly shot down any notion they’d have interest in Puig.
However, the Chicago White Sox wish for Puig to be included in a potential trade with the Dodgers, per ESPN’s Buster Olney:
The White Sox want Yasiel Puig if they make a deal with the Dodgers.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 1, 2016
The Dodgers are believed to be engaged in talks with the White Sox for Chris Sale, though Jose Quintana also is an option. Chicago reportedly contacted the Dodgers during the offseason to inquire on Puig, and were instead proposed with a trade for Carl Crawford or Andre Ethier.
