Despite being limited by multiple hamstring injuries to a career-worst 79 games last season, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig reportedly drew trade interest over the offseason. The Dodgers, however, regularly voiced their support of Puig and stated a preference to keep him.
When the Chicago White Sox were said to have contacted the Dodgers for Puig in February, Los Angeles reportedly floated Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier in trade talks. Nothing materialized, Crawford has since been released, and Ethier remains sidelined as he recovers from a fractured tibia.
Puig is also dealing with an injury at present time, as right hamstring tightness kept him out of the lineup Friday for a seventh consecutive game.
With the Dodgers said to be discussing a three-team trade with the Cincinnati Reds and an unknown club, there may be smoke signals of Puig’s time in Los Angeles coming to an end.
Earlier this month it was reported the Dodgers were open to trading their dynamic right fielder. According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, Los Angeles has attempted to include the 25-year-old in trade proposals:
@Buster_ESPN Could signal the end of Puig as a Dodger, period. Heard they've been trying to attach him in deals they've proposed.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2016
One such scenario was with the Reds, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports:
Sources: Dodgers, Reds discussed deal centered around Jay Bruce and Yasiel Puig. Didn't materialize. Still plenty of permutations possible.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2016
Puig this season is batting .255/.316/.376 with eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 32 RBIs, a .304 wOBA and 91 wRC+ in 79 games. His 89 OPS+ is below league-average. However, Puig was improved at the plate after missing 17 games in June with a left hamstring strain.
He hit .301/.392/.422 with four doubles, two home runs and 12 RBIs in 24 games (22 starts) prior to suffering his latest hamstring injury on July 21. Even with the offensive inconsistency, Puig has continued to play strong defense in right field.
