Dodgers News: Yasiel Puig Wants to Start “Here or Somewhere Else”
Yasiel Puig and Justin Turner were baristas for the morning, but Puig provided a tidbit of not-so-surprising news.
Puig told Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times he wants to start again, regardless of where.
Yasiel Puig: "I want to be a starter again, whether it's here or somewhere else."
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) January 23, 2017
That’s expected from Puig’s perspective. After his demotion-turned-promotion, he was a model citizen and upped his play. Puig slashed .281/.338/.561 with four home runs and 11 RBI after his call-up.
The Dodgers shopped him but never received the offer they wanted. Milwaukee claimed him off waivers, but again no deal was reached. The rumor mill has been quiet on Puig all offseason, though it’s widely believed the Dodgers would listen to offers. Puig still has the natural talent and upside to be worth a “change of scenery” gamble. The organization wanted Puig to slim down over the winter as well.
Puig said he worked on his hitting for a week in the Dominican Republic with Robinson Cano.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) January 23, 2017
Puig led L.A. with a .471 slugging percentage against left-handers, as well as with a .784 OPS. He could be a huge asset to a team that desperately needs that production if he stays put. If the Dodgers are dedicated to eventually moving him, it may be in their best interest to see if he can rebuild value after the roller coaster 2016.
[graphiq id=”11Bz3CgpfWB” title=”Yasiel Puig 2016 Batting Splits By Pitcher Hand” width=”640″ height=”545″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/11Bz3CgpfWB” link=”http://baseball-players.pointafter.com/l/13252/Yasiel-Puig” link_text=”PointAfter | Graphiq” ]
Joc Pederson is set in center field, but there are two openings in the corners. Howie Kendrick was traded to Philadelphia and Josh Reddick departed for the Houston Astros in free agency. In other words, Puig has a solid shot of earning a starting job. If he makes the most of the chance, perhaps the trade winds finally die down.
[button color=”red” size=”big” alignment=”center” rel=”follow” openin=”newwindow” url=”https://dodgersnation.com/creativity-could-be-the-dodgers-answer-at-second-base/2017/01/21/”]Austin Barnes playing second regularly? It’s not so crazy.[/button]
To coin a phrase from The NFL; ” Not living up to your potential is an excuse for mediocrity.” I believe this is true of Puig. He has basically 1 facet of the 5 tools that he needs to address to be a factor in MLB.. No matter where he plays… And that issue is hitting. ( especially breaking pitches ) He showed that, in the past, he could hit those pitches.. NOW.. It is up to the hitting coach to earn his money and bring back Puig’s batting ability. If Puig listens.. and achieves.. All the better. If he wants to be a Prima Dona, then send him down the road in a package deal to get someone who fills the order… I adhere to The Billy Martin School of management..” Somebody has to be boss.. and it ain’t you!”