Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Yasiel Puig Working On Being Better Teammate

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Bring up Yasiel Puig’s name and the responses you get about the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder will be mixed.

For every fan of the 24-year-old out there, there is likely someone that doesn’t particularly like him. Regardless of public opinion, Puig has been a true talent for the Dodgers, even though he has struggled a bit since returning from injury earlier this season. Then came rumblings that some teammates weren’t the biggest fans of Puig, including one player that said a trade involving the former All-Star would be “addition by subtraction”. Molly Knight’s book “The Best Team Money Can Buy” was released and many were quick to point out the stories involving Puig and having issues with teammates.

Well, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the young outfielder is reportedly working on his relationship with his Dodger teammates:

He [Puig] has made an effort to be a better teammate since the All-Star break, sources say.

It’s unclear what he’s done to be “better,” but it’s a good sign that Puig has taken the criticism to heart and is trying to do something about it. With Hanley Ramirez’s departure in the offseason and the in-season trade of Juan Uribe, perhaps Puig lost some of his better friends on the team and he’s now focused on changing the perception on him.

Rumors of a possible trade involving Puig have been gaining traction lately, but those were quickly shot down and it even went as far as the Dodgers reportedly telling the Cuban-born outfielder that he would not be traded. On the year, Puig is hitting .259 with six home runs and 22 RBIs; however, he is adamant that he has been working hard to turn his season around.

It’s nice that Puig has been working to be better, and it could benefit the Dodgers down the stretch if everyone is on the same page.

[divide]

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

2 Comments

  1. Anyone who advocates trading Puig is an idiot. There is way too much potential and he’s trying to make himself better. He’s young, comes from a different culture, and has some maturing to do. He will be fine.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button