The Los Angeles Dodgers had high hopes for Yasiel Puig this season. Team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called Puig one of the club’s wild cards for 2016, and the Dodgers turned away those who called to inquire on a trade.
Puig responded to the direction he was given during the offseason, lost the weight he was asked to, and reported to Spring Training with an improved work ethic and demeanor. However, some of that began to wear off as the season move along.
Thus, the Dodgers reached a point where they attempted to move Puig prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline. Unable to do so Los Angeles resorted to the option they laid out, and demoted Puig to the Minors.
He’s taken it in stride and was also understanding of being put on revocable waivers. Although Puig was claimed on the waiver wire, it’s unlikely he’ll be traded, via ESPN:
The unknown team that claimed Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig on revocable waivers had more interest in blocking him from going to another team than sincere interest in trading for him, a league source told ESPN’s Jim Bowden.
The claiming team is believed to have been the Boston Red Sox. Along with the window to negotiate a deal with a team who’s claimed a player on waivers, trades must be completed by midnight Eastern on Wednesday for a player to remain eligible for the postseason.
Although the Dodgers may not trade Puig this month, the club has remained noncommittal on whether he’ll be among the September call-ups. What’s more, Puig’s future with the organization beyond this season remains uncertain.
Considering the Dodgers’ attempts to move the mercurial outfielder, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if they revisit trade talks during the offseason, when they can shop Puig to all clubs.
